Tonga vs Japan Predictions - Japan to advance to the Pacific Nations Cup final

Brad Newcomb

Editor

Last updated: 4 hours ago

Brad Newcomb 4 hours ago

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Japan have won 3 of their last 5 games and beat Tonga in last 3 meetings.
Tonga only won 1 of their last 5 matches.
Japan favoured to win the semi-final

Japan are on a winning streak against Tonga (Getty Images)

Tonga vs Japan Predictions

Tonga vs Japan Predictions
Head to Head
Tonga Form
Tonga Team News & Injuries
Japan Form
Japan Team News & Injuries
Verdict

Tonga did enough to reach the semi-finals of the Pacific Nations Cup, but have been struggling to win lately. Japan have performed well in the tournament so far and have often defeated Tonga in recent encounters.

Japan have won 3 of their last 5 matches.
Japan have defeated Tonga 3 consecutive times.
Tonga have lost 4 of their last 5 fixtures.

Head to Head

Tonga and Japan each have three victories in six meetings.

Tonga Form

Tonga finished runners-up in Pool A of the Pacific Nations Cup after recording one victory and one defeat.

Tonga secured a 30-16 win against Samoa in their opening pool game before losing 32-10 to Fiji.

Before that, Tonga lost 25-15 to Romania, 36-17 to the USA, and 22-7 to Georgia in three international friendlies played towards the end of 2024.

Tonga have been battling with form during the past year and have not had much success against Japan in recent meetings.

Tonga Team News & Injuries

Forwards: Tupou Afungia, Kelemete Finau, Halaleva Fifita, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Jay Fonokalafi, Fe’ao Fotu’aika, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Lotu Inisi, Fotu Lokotui, Siua Maile, Harison Mataele, Siosiua Moala, Samuela Moli, Ben Tameifuna, Salesi Tu’ifua, Solomone Tukuafu

Backs: James Faiva, Nikolai Foliaki, Aisea Halo, Uilisi Halaholo, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Fetuli Paea, Patrick Pellegrini, Salesi Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Sosefo Sakalia, Sonatane Takulua, John Tapueluelu, Josiah Unga

Japan Form

Japan placed first in Pool B of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup after winning both their fixtures.

Japan thrashed Canada 57-15 in their opening match and defeated the USA 47-21.

Before those results, Japan played three friendly internationals between June and July. They lost 53-20 to the Maori All Blacks, beat Wales 24-19, before losing 31-22 to Wales.

Japan have played well in this edition of the Pacific Nations Cup and will fancy their chances against Tonga after recording three consecutive victories against their opponents.

Japan Team News & Injuries

Forwards: Hayate Era, Mamoru Harada, Kenji Sato, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Yota Kamimori, Sanshiro Kihara, Sena Kimura, Kenta Kobayashi, Taishi Tsumura, Shuhei Takeuchi, Keijiro Tamefusa, Jack Cornelsen, Warner Dearns, Shohei Ito, Waisake Raratubua, Epineri Uluiviti, Tiennan Costley, Amato Fakatava, Ben Gunter, Faulua Makisi, Akito Okui, Amanaki Saumaki, Kanji Shimokawa, Shu Yamamoto

Backs: Shinobu Fujiwara, Kenta Fukuda, Shuntaro Kitamura, Sam Greene, Ichigo Nakakusu, Lee Seung-sin, Yuya Hirose, Yuki Ikeda, Charlie Lawrence, Shōgo Nakano, Tomoki Osada, Dylan Riley, Siosaia Fifita, Kippei Ishida, Haruto Kida, Malo Tuitama, Jingo Takenoshita