Meehan Names Match 23 for Pacific Nations Opener Against Fiji
Canada take on Fiji on Saturday, the match kicks off Friday at midnight on the west coast as the match is being played in Japan as part of the Pacific Nations Cup. Canada lost to Fiji 63-10 last year in the Pacific Nations Cup, that -53 loss followed a -42 loss to Japan last year. This year Canada lost to Japan by -45, so expectations may not be high going into Saturday’s match. The good news compared to last year’s match against Fiji, Rumball and LeSage are back in the roster, the bad news Keith and Martinez, the starting props are missing, Piers Von Dadelszen is missing in the second row, Matt Oworu missing from loose forwards, Noah Flesch missing from centres, Nic Benn and Josiah Morra missing from the wings.
The forwards for Canada look similar to the Japan match, Kotze gets the start ahead of Dewitt at hooker. Other changes include Higgins getting the start at scrum half instead of Kilgour, Jacob Ince starting at outside centre instead of Isaac Olson, and Jamie Armstrong replacing Liam James on the wing. Cooper Coats is back on the bench along with Josh McIndoe and Stephen Webb in the 5/3 reserves. Ethan Fryer replaces Cody Nhanala as the loose forward reserve. Austin Creighton is the reserve hooker.
What will success look like for Canada in this match? Being competitive in the set pieces would be good, they fell short in those areas against Japan, a reasonable maul defence would be good, they didn’t offer much resistance against Japan. Canada gifted two tries on errors inside their 22 against Japan, it would be good to see a more professional approach inside their 22. It’s unlikely Canada will win the match but a strong showing against the 9th ranked team would be a positive statement going into a match, likely against rivals USA, next weekend. USA play Japan this weekend and the winners will square off for the title while the two losers will battle for 3rd place in the abbreviated tournament.
from Rugby Canada
Canada Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named his match day roster for Canada’s upcoming Pacific Nations Cup semi-final against Fiji.
Canada and Fiji will kick off on Saturday September 12 at 4:00p.m. JST / 12:00 a.m. PT / 3:00 a.m. ET at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka.
Both Canada vs Fiji and Japan vs USA matches will be broadcast live on TSN4.
The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 is the 17th edition of the tournament and will feature a revised format with Canada, defending champions Fiji and USA joining hosts Japan over two match days in Osaka and Tokyo. This evolution reflects the broader transformation of the international calendar with competitions aligned with the inaugural Nations Championship and World Rugby Nations Cup, providing cross-over opportunities for participating unions.
Canada Men’s Rugby Head Coach Stephen Meehan has made ten changes to the squad that featured last week against Japan in Niigata.
“We’ve made some changes to the squad this week. It was always our intention to share the load a little on this tour and provide people with opportunities to get back into it,” said Head Coach Stephen Meehan.
Dewald Kotze will start at hooker, while Jason Higgins returns to the starting XV at scrum-half. Jamie Armstrong, who earned his first cap for Canada against Japan last week, will make his first international start at No. 11. Jacob Ince will also move into the starting lineup at outside centre.
On the bench, Austin Creighton and Emerson Prior return to the matchday 23, having last appeared for Canada in the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup third-place playoff against Tonga.
Ethan Fryer is set to make his first appearance for Canada since November 9, 2024, when he suffered a fractured skull against Chile. The injury resulted in near-complete hearing loss in his left ear and began a lengthy recovery process as Fryer worked his way back to the international stage.
Stephen Webb, Cooper Coats, and Josh McIndoe round out the backline replacements.
Mason Flesch is set to earn his 25th cap for Canada this weekend.
“The key message against teams like Fiji is always to expect the unexpected. We must remain diligent and disciplined with our defensive game, added Meehan.
Tuesday’s afternoon session was probably the most intense, high-energy and highly motivated session I’ve seen from the team. I hope that’s a good indicator going forward this week.
The best thing about these games is that you’re playing against quality sides, and that’s really testing us and giving us a better understanding of where we’re at and where we need to continue to push.”
2026 PACIFIC NATIONS CUP SCHEDULE
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Fiji
Saturday September 12, 2026
4:00pm Local / 12:00am PT / 3:00am ET
Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Watch live on TSN4
Third Place Play-Off
Saturday September 19, 2026
4:00pm Local / 12:00am PT (September 18) / 3:00am ET
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Final
Saturday September 19, 2026
7:05pm Local / 3:05am PT / 6:05am ET
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS FIJI
1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (8 caps)
2. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Rotherham Titans (16 caps)
3. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (9 caps)
4. Daragh Doyle (Québec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (3 caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (17 caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (24 caps)
7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (20 caps)
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (68 caps)
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (31 caps)
10. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (18caps)
11. Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish (1 cap)
12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks (40 caps)
13. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (3 caps)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (8 caps)
15. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (8 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Austin Creighton – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Cobras Brasil (3 caps)
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC (8 caps)
18. Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club (1 cap)
19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Camborne RFC (3 caps)
20. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, WA) – Eastside Lions RFC / Peñarol Rugby (5 caps)
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (3 caps)
22. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (23 caps)
23. Josh McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / UVIC Vikes (2 caps)
from Fiji Rugby Union
FIJI Water Flying Fijians Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named a formidable side to take on Canada in their opening match of the Pacific Nations Championship in Japan this weekend.
The team travelled to Japan last weekend and have set up base in preparation to defend the PNC title – Fiji’s seventh title win came last year.
Coach Seruvakula has indicated that all is well in camp, with the team mainly made up of locally based players contracted to the Fijian Drua, along with a few debutants ready to make their mark on the international Test arena. He added that there are no injuries in the team and everyone is ready to go.
“We have four debutants in the team with two of them coming from the Fijian Drua camp – Isoa Tuwai and Penaia Cakobau stepping up – while Inoke Ravuiwasa and Terio Tamani have been selected from the Skipper Cup competition,” shared Coach Seruvakula.
“These guys showed potential when they walked into camp and have earned a spot heading into the match against Canada this weekend,” added Seruvakula.
Looking at the announced squad:
At the props, Peni Ravai and Mesake Doge pair up with Captain Tevita Ikanivere, who charges the team at hooker. Paring at the locks are Mesake Vocevoce and Temo Mayanavanua, while on the flanks of the front row the partnership between Kitione Salawa and Motikai Murray looks to be formidable. The anchor of the forward pack is Isoa Tuwai, making his debut in the white jersey.
Frank Lomani slots into the link between the backs and forwards at halfback, while Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula is charged with steering the team at number 10. The midfield combination of Kalaveti Ravouvou at 12 and Virimi Vakatawa at 13 is one to reckon with during the match, while the flanking wingers – 11 Manasa Mataele and 14 Joji Nasova – would provide some classy finishes along the sidelines. At fullback, Isikeli Rabitu gets his second cap as a Flying Fijian.
On the bench, Penaia Cakobau, Inoke Ravuiwasa and Terio Tamani get a chance at running onto the field alongside seasoned campaigners Meli Tuni, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Caleb Muntz.
You can watch the FIJI Water Flying Fijians versus Canada match this Saturday on Fiji One LIVE at 7pm.
From Bob, my Ai research assistant
I asked Bob to compare the 2025 Fiji squad to the 2026 one in the Canada matches and give a brief analysis:
Comparing this newly named 2026 Fiji matchday 23 against the squad that beat Canada 63-10 last year shows a few massive additions—mixed with significant missing star power from European club rugby.
1. Major Player Additions (Who Got Added)
Virimi Vakatawa (Center #13): The headline addition. The former France international and Racing 92 star center brings world-class offloading capability and hard yards in midfield. His inclusion alongside Kalaveti Ravouvou (#12) gives Fiji an absolute wrecking-ball midfield combination against Canada’s inexperienced backline.
Peni Ravai (Loosehead Prop #1): The veteran prop brings elite scrummaging power to the front row, taking over for Eroni Mawi. Going up against Canada’s second-string prop Sam Miller, this is a massive test for Canada at set-piece.
Frank Lomani (Scrum-Half #9): Replaces Simione Kuruvoli at starting 9. Lomani is one of the most experienced game-managers and box-kickers in the Pacific, providing quicker service to a dangerous backline.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Fly-Half #10): Stepping into the starting 10 jersey over Kemu Valetini (who started last year). Armstrong-Ravula has been the standout conductor for the Fijian Drua and gives them higher-tempo playmaking.
Kitione Salawa (Flanker #6) & Terio Tamani (Bench #21): Salawa is a dynamic breakdown operator, while Terio Tamani—a standout star on the World Rugby SVNS circuit—adds lethal high-speed cover off the bench.
2. Notable Absences (Who Is Missing from 2025)
While Seruvakula has named a dangerous side, several high-profile European-based players from the 2025 victory were not selected for this PNC campaign as Fiji focuses on domestic development and Fijian Drua talent:
Viliame Mata (No. 8): Missing from the back row. His massive ball-carrying base from last year is being replaced by debutant Isoa Tuwai at #8.
Eroni Mawi (Loosehead Prop): The Saracens front-rower isn’t in the 23 (though Peni Ravai softens this loss considerably).
Inia Tabuavou & Seta Tamanivalu (Midfield): Both starting centers from the 2025 match are gone, though Vakatawa and Ravouvou represent an equal (if not higher) threat level.
Ponipate Loganimasi (Fullback) & Taniela Rakuro (Wing): Last year’s wingers who carved up Canada out wide have been replaced by Manasa Mataele, Joji Nasova, and Isikeli Rabitu.
3. Tactical Takeaway for Saturday
This 2026 Fiji side is a hybrid Fijian Drua / SVNS hybrid squad injected with elite veteran firepower (Vakatawa, Ravai, Lomani, Ikanivere).
Because Canada is fielding a heavily rotated pack with developing props, the combination of Ravai and Doge in the front row—backed by the Vakatawa-Ravouvou midfield crash channel—presents a severe threat to Canada’s defensive line structure, particularly on the wings where Jamie Armstrong (1 cap) and Kyle Tremblay (8 caps) will be tested early.