Japan will be looking to claim their third successive Pacific Nations Cup win when they take on the United States on Saturday the 10th of August.
Japan have a great chance to put the cherry on top of a great month of rugby with a win over the United States set to see them claim 2019 Pacific Nations Cup honours.
The Japanese have been a class apart in the tournament registering big wins over Fiji and Tonga. And while America have also won their opening two fixtures, their victories were rather less impressive as they beat a weak Canadian side and then snuck past a stuttering Samoan outfit.
United States v Japan
Saturday 10 August
ANZ Stadium, Suva
06:35
To Win (80 Mins)
United States 17/4
Draw 25/1
Japan 1/6
Handicap
United States
Japan
United States
It’s been a decent fortnight for Gary Gold’s men who followed up their 47-19 victory over neighbours Canada with a 13-10 win over Samoa. The encounter with Samoa looked to be heading for a draw until the States were awarded a late penalty which Sale Sharks fly-half AJ McGinty calmly guided through the uprights.
This weekend’s encounter is likely to be a far tougher one for the Americans as Japan are playing some great rugby at the moment. The North Americans will need to be very clinical with their kicking out of hand as Japan were great on the counter in the second half of their clash with Tonga last week.
Japan
Well, the World Cup hosts are certainly laying down a gauntlet prior to the kick-off of the global showpiece. They have now put in two attacking masterclasses in two weeks following up their 21-34 win over Fiji with a 7-41 victory over Tonga.
The Japanese showed that they have it in them two play an attritional game as they struggled to put points on the board early in the second half against the Tongans, but then found their grove and ran in two long-range tries during the final salvos of the game.
Verdict: Japan 1/6
While Japan are likely to field a much-changed side this weekend they should have no problems clearing the handicap against an American team who are by no means as good as their previous two results indicate.
