Rugby: Island teams suffer defeats

Two Pacific Island teams suffered shock losses in the latest round of the Pacific Rim rugby championship at the weekend.

The United States Eagles, ranked 16th in world rugby, shocked eighth-ranked Fiji 25-14 in San Francisco, while Japan grabbed an injury-time 37-34 win over Samoa in Osaka.

The United States led Fiji 9-7 at halftime, three penalties to Kevin Dalzell more than cancelling out a Koli Sewabu converted try.

Fiji came into the second half with renewed focus and began taking control. In the 56th minute, sevens star Waisake Sotutu made a solo run for a try, brushing off two American defenders. Nicky Little converted.

However, Brian Hightower scored for the Americans in the 60th minute and Dalzell nailed penalties in the 72nd and 77th. David Niu, in his first game for the United States, finished the game with a try on fulltime.

"The Americans had a lot more ball, executed their moves crisply and retained the ball better," said Fiji captain Simon Raiwalui. "They deserved their win and we are very disappointed."

In Osaka, former All Black loose forward Jamie Joseph scored a try in injury time to help Japan to their upset win over Samoa.

It was the first victory for Japan against the two-time World Cup quarter-finalists, and their third successive win in the six-nation round-robin tournament.

Although the visitors controlled the match in the first half, winger Daisuke Ohata scored a converted try at the end of the half to trim Japan's deficit to 14-20.

The home side continued to fight back in the second half to set the stage for the dramatic finish by Joseph. Japan scored four tries to three.

In the next round on June 5, Japan play Fiji while Samoa take on Tonga.