The Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens team has concluded the Cape Town Sevens in South Africa, finishing third but topping the HSBC SVNS points table with 36 points. This puts them ahead of Spain with 32 points, as well as South Africa and France, who are both tied at 30 points.
In the semi-finals, Fiji was narrowly defeated by France with a score of 17-19. However, they rebounded impressively, dominating Spain in the third-place playoff with a decisive 47-10 victory. Head coach Osea Kolinisau expressed disappointment over the loss to France, acknowledging missed opportunities but also emphasizing the team’s hard work on defense, which he believes is crucial for winning championships.
Player performance stood out, with Naduvalu scoring three tries during the tournament, joined by Ilikimi Torosi, Kavekini Tanivanuakula, and George Bose, each contributing two tries. The Cape Town Sevens was ultimately won by South Africa, who triumphed over France with a score of 26-14.
Looking ahead, the team is set to compete in the Perth Sevens in Australia from January 24-26.
On a positive note, the Fijiana women’s team showed progress by securing a 10th-place finish after narrowly losing 14-12 to China in the ninth place playoff. The team, coached by Timoci Volavola, registered their first win of the series by defeating Brazil 22-19. Despite facing challenges, the Fijiana team now sits in 11th place on the series points table, ahead of Spain in 12th.
This performance reflects the resilience and potential of Fijian rugby on the world stage, with both teams poised to make further strides in upcoming tournaments. As they prepare for the next competition in Perth, there is a sense of optimism for continued improvement and success.
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