The Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens team has claimed first place in the HSBC SVNS points table following their performance at the Cape Town Sevens held in South Africa. Despite finishing third in the tournament, Fiji managed to gather a total of 36 points, placing them ahead of Spain, which earned 32 points, while South Africa and France are tied with 30 points each.
In the semifinal, Fiji faced a tough match against France, losing narrowly with a score of 17-19. However, they regrouped to achieve a decisive 47-10 victory against Spain in the third-place play-off. Head coach Osea Kolinisau reflected on the semi-final loss, expressing disappointment over missed opportunities and emphasizing the importance of strong defensive strategies in securing championships.
Key players for Fiji included Naduvalu, who scored three tries, and teammates Ilikimi Torosi, Kavekini Tanivanuakula, and George Bose, each contributing two tries. South Africa ultimately won the Cape Town Sevens, defeating France with a score of 26-14 in the final.
Looking ahead, the next event in the series will take place at the Perth Sevens in Australia from January 24-26, providing Fiji an opportunity to build upon their current success.
On a slightly more positive note, the Fijiana women’s team finished in 10th place after a close battle against China, losing 14-12 in the ninth place playoff. However, they achieved their first victory of the series by overcoming Brazil 22-19. The Fijiana team is currently ranked 11th in the series points table, with Spain at the 12th position.
This overall performance highlights the resilience and determination of both Fijian teams as they look forward to their upcoming competitions, fostering hope for future successes.
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