Fiji thump Canada to reach Pacific Nations Cup final

Two-time defending champions Fiji have scored three tries in the first 23 minutes and continued its domination to defeat Canada 45-29 in their Pacific Nations Cup rugby semi-final.

Kitione Salawa scored in the first 30 seconds and Frank Lomani and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula added later first-half tries, with Armstrong-Ravula also converting two of the tries. Fiji led 26-17 at halftime in the match in Osaka, Japan.

Canada were beaten 57-12 by Japan last weekend and head coach Stephen Meehan made 10 changes to his squad, to no avail against a strong Fiji side.

Japan will play the United States in the second match of the semi-final doubleheader at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka later Saturday. Japan have won nine of their last 10 matches against the US.

This year's tournament features a condensed four-team format with the semi-final winners progressing to next Saturday's final, and the losers playing a match for third place.

Both of those matches will be played at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.