The Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens team has secured the top spot in the HSBC SVNS points table following the completion of the Cape Town Sevens in South Africa. Although they finished in third place at the event, the Fijian team earned 36 points, leading ahead of Spain, which has 32 points, while South Africa and France are tied at 30 points each.
In the semi-finals, Fiji faced off against France but narrowly lost 17-19. They rebounded with an impressive victory over Spain, defeating them 47-10. Head coach Osea Kolinisau reflected on the team’s performance, expressing disappointment in not capitalizing on opportunities against France and emphasizing that their focus on defense is crucial for success.
In terms of individual performances, Naduvalu stood out by scoring three tries in the tournament. Ilikimi Torosi, Kavekini Tanivanuakula, and George Bose each contributed with two tries. The title of the Cape Town Sevens went to South Africa, who triumphed over France with a 26-14 scoreline in the final.
Looking ahead, the next event in the series will be the Perth Sevens in Australia, scheduled for January 24-26, where the Fijian team will aim to build on their current momentum.
On a brighter note, the Fijiana women’s team showed some improvement by finishing in 10th place at the Cape Town Sevens. They were edged out by China with a score of 14-12 in the ninth place playoff but celebrated their first win in the series against Brazil, prevailing 22-19. Currently, the Fijiana team sits at 11th in the series standings, with Spain in 12th place.
This update reflects the resilience and commitment of Fiji’s rugby teams, hinting at a hopeful trajectory as they prepare for upcoming competitions. Fans can look forward to the Perth Sevens, where both teams will continue to strive for excellence on the international stage.
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