The Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens team concluded the Cape Town Sevens in South Africa on a positive note, despite finishing third in the tournament. They topped the HSBC SVNS points table with a total of 36 points, ahead of Spain with 32 points, while South Africa and France are tied with 30 points.

In the semi-finals, Fiji faced off against France, narrowly losing the match 19-17. However, they bounced back strongly in the playoff for third place by defeating Spain decisively with a score of 47-10. Head coach Osea Kolinisau expressed the team’s disappointment over the missed opportunities against France, emphasizing the importance of their defensive strategies.

Fiji’s standout player in Cape Town was Naduvalu, who recorded three tries, while Ilikimi Torosi, Kavekini Tanivanuakula, and George Bose each contributed two tries. South Africa ultimately won the Cape Town Sevens, defeating France 26-14 in the final.

Looking ahead, the next series will take place at the Perth Sevens in Australia from January 24-26, providing an opportunity for the team to strengthen their performance.

In contrast, the Fijiana women’s team made some strides in the tournament, finishing in 10th place after a narrow 14-12 loss to China in the ninth-place playoff. They managed to secure their first win of the series by overcoming Brazil 22-19. Currently, the Fijiana 7s team sits at 11th place on the series points table, just above Spain in 12th.

This progress for both the men’s and women’s teams reflects a commitment to improvement, and with continued dedication, we can expect even greater achievements in the upcoming matches. The spirit and determination shown by the teams could inspire future successes as they compete in the international arena.