Overview
- Fiji started fast in Osaka on Saturday with Kitione Salawa scoring inside 30 seconds and the Flying Fijians holding a 26-17 lead at half against Canada.
- Japan named a young, low‑cap 23‑man side under Eddie Jones to accelerate Test experience and push the squad toward a target of several hundred combined caps before the World Cup.
- The USA recalled veteran hooker Joe Taufete'e to the bench and brought in Kaleb Geiger and Vili Helu as late injury cover for Campbell Robb, Ma’ake Muti and Brandon Harvey.
- Coaches across the tournament have framed these semi‑finals as controlled chances to assess depth rather than definitive World Cup selections, noting the fixtures mirror 2027 pool pairings.
- Canada veterans recalled the team’s 2019 typhoon relief work in Japan and said the PNC offers younger players vital exposure to the physical, high‑tempo opposition they will face at the World Cup.