With World Cup qualification now out of the way, Canada now moves into the Semi Finals of the Pacific Nations Cup with opportunities to advance their position on the World Rankings against tougher opposition. It’s a formidable opponent at the neutral venue of Denver this week. Fiji are the defending champions and the only top-10 side in the competition.
Current World Ranking: 24 (59.52 points)
2025-08-30 – Japan 57, Canada 15 (Sendai)
2025-08-22 – Canada 34, USA 20 (Calgary)
2025-07-18 – Canada 23, Spain 24 (Edmonton)
2025-07-12 – Canada 18, Belgium 25 (Edmonton)
2024-11-16 – Romania 35, Canada 27 (Bucharest)
Current World Ranking: 9 (80.86 points)
2025-09-06 – Samoa 15, Fiji 29 (Rotorua)
2025-08-30 – Fiji 32, Tonga 10 (Suva)
2025-07-12 – Fiji 29, Scotland 14 (Suva)
2025-07-06 – Australia 21, Fiji 18 (Newcastle)
2024-11-23 – Ireland 52, Fiji 17 (Dublin)
 |
IN | OUT |
| 5 | Callum Botchar | Lucas Rumball |
| 13 | Noah Flesch | Ben LeSage |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Eroni Mawi | Haereiti Hetet |
| 3 | Mesake Doge | Samu Tawake |
| 4 | Mesake Vocevoce | Temo Mayanavanua |
| 8 | Viliame Mata | Kitione Salawa |
| 11 | Taniela Rakuro | Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula |
| 12 | Inia Tabuavou | Tuidraki Samusamuvodre |
- Canada last played Fiji at the 2019 edition of the PNC… in recent years the Islanders have held a big advantage but the Canadians did sneak a close result at Twin Elm Park in 2013
- regular captain Lucas Rumball and vice-captain Ben LeSage are both out of the remainder of the tournament, so the on-field leadership role goes to Rumball’s Chicago Hounds clubmate Mason Flesch… it’s the first time the 25-year-old has led the team… he moves from lock to his preferred blindside flanker role this week
- the only other change to the starting lineup sees younger brother Noah Flesch taking up the midfield vacancy left by LeSage… with Talon McMullin and Kainoa Lloyd both called up to act as back reserves
- Mick Byrne has made a half-dozen changes from the team that beat Samoa… the first choice front row is restored with powerhouse ball carrier Viliame Mata another notable inclusion
- Joji Nasova could make his test debut as a replacement… the 25-year-old back won silver with Fiji’s sevens side at the Paris Olympics…. he is set to join the Drua in Super Rugby next season
Steve Meehan (Head Coach)
“The team has had valuable time together here in Denver since our match against Japan. Players and coaches have been working hard on improving our performances with each game we play, and we all want to come away with a performance that we are proud of. We’re confident in the preparation we have been putting in, and the work rate from the players has been commendable. Fiji provides another good challenge for our team that we are looking forward to.”
Mason Flesch (Captain)
“Being given the responsibility to lead the team, lead all my best mates into finals in the PNC… it means a lot, and we are up for the challenge. I think for a lot of us, qualifying sparked focus and a lot of dedication that when we’re away from the team and the environment, we are going to put the work in and the graft for the biggest sporting event in rugby.”
The Fijians won’t be bothered much by the altitude and conditions look ideal for their brand of running rugby. Canada can’t live with them in the wide spaces but could find ways to frustrate them at the set piece or slow down possession at the breakdown. For some members of the Canadian squad who aren’t nailed on for World Cup selection, this is a chance to show they can perform against first class opposition. A scoreline similar to the Japan match seems a realistic outcome. Fiji are heavy favorites in Denver.
CANADA
1 Cali Martinez, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Piers von Dadelszen, 5 Callum Botchar, 6 Mason Flesch (capt.), 7 Sion Parry, 8 Matthew Oworu, 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Peter Nelson, 11 Josiah Morra, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Noah Flesch, 14 Nic Benn, 15 Shane O’Leary
Replacements: 16 Jesse Mackail, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Conor Young, 19 Izzak Kelly, 20 Matt Heaton, 21 Brock Gallagher, 22 Talon McMullin, 23 Kainoa Lloyd
FIJI
1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (capt.), 3 Mesake Doge, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 6 Etonia Waqa, 7 Elia Canakaivata, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Caleb Muntz, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 14 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 15 Ponipate Loganimasi
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Motikiai Murray, 21 Sam Wye, 22 Kemu Valetini, 23 Joji Nasova
Date: Sunday, September 14
Venue: DSG Park, Denver
Kickoff: 18:30 local (17:30 Pacific, 20:30 Eastern, Monday 12:30 Suva)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 73°F (23°C), wind E 4-6mph (6-10km/h)
Broadcasts: Paramount+ (USA), TSN 2 (Canada), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistants: Craig Evans (Wales) & Lex Weiner (USA)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (12): Fiji 9, Canada 3
2019-08-03 – Fiji 38, Canada 13 (Suva)
2017-11-25 – Canada 17, Fiji 57 (Narbonne)
2015-09-06 – Canada 18, Fiji 47 (London)
2013-06-05 – Canada 20, Fiji 18 (Ottawa)
2007-09-16 – Canada 16, Fiji 29 (Cardiff)
2001-07-03 – Fiji 52, Canada 23 (Tokyo)
2000-07-07 – Fiji 42, Canada 11 (Apia)
1999-10-09 – Canada 22, Fiji 38 (Bordeaux)
1999-05-15 – Canada 29, Fiji 40 (Vancouver)
1995-04-08 – Fiji 10, Canada 22 (Nadi)
