The Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens team emerged at the top of the HSBC SVNS points table following the Cape Town Sevens event held in South Africa. Despite finishing in third place at the tournament, Fiji accumulated 36 points, outpacing Spain, which garnered 32 points, while South Africa and France are tied closely with 30 points each.
The Fijian team faced a narrow defeat in the semi-finals against France, losing 17-19, but bounced back strongly to claim victory against Spain with an impressive score of 47-10. Head coach Osea Kolinisau acknowledged their missed opportunities against France, expressing disappointment within the team. He emphasized the importance of defense, stating, “We’ve worked a lot on defense and defense wins you championships.”
Individual players shone during the tournament, with Naduvalu scoring three tries. Additionally, Ilikimi Torosi, Kavekini Tanivanuakula, and George Bose each contributed two tries. The tournament concluded with South Africa claiming the championship title, defeating France 26-14 on home soil.
Looking ahead, the next competition on the series calendar is the Perth Sevens in Australia, scheduled for January 24-26.
In a related note, the Fijiana women’s rugby sevens team showed signs of progress, finishing in 10th place after narrowly losing to China 14-12 in the ninth place playoff. The team, coached by Timoci Volavola, achieved their first win of the series against Brazil, edging out a 22-19 victory. Currently, the Fijiana women’s side holds the 11th position in the series points table, with Spain falling slightly behind in 12th.
This performance illustrates the resilience and determination of the Fijian teams, both men’s and women’s, as they continue to develop and improve. Their achievements and progress provide a hopeful outlook for the future competitions, showcasing the potential for greater success on the international stage.
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