SENDAI - Japan scored six tries in a 40-point second half to down Canada 57-15 in Pacific Nations Cup rugby play on Saturday.

The six-team tournament serves as a World Cup qualifier and the 24th-ranked Canadian men could have booked their ticket to the 2027 tournament in Australia with a bonus point in defeat, either by scoring four tries or by losing by seven or fewer points.

Canada will now have to await the outcome of the final Pool B match Sept. 6 between No. 13 Japan and the 18th-ranked U.S. in Sacramento. Pool A features No. 9 Fiji, No. 14 Samoa, and No. 17 Tonga.

A U.S. loss — or a win without a bonus point for scoring four tries — would secure Canadian qualification.

The Pacific Nations Cup will send three teams to the World Cup with Fiji and Japan already qualified by virtue o

See Full Page