The Fiji Women’s 7s team remains winless in the 2024 Paris Olympics after four matches. Coached by Saiasi Fuli, the team lost all of its pool matches and suffered a 28-22 defeat to Brazil in the 9th to 11th place playoff this morning.
The match began with a swift score from Brazil’s Gabriela Lima just 30 seconds in. Fiji quickly responded when Vani Buleki darted through to score right after the restart. Ana Maria Naimasi then found the corner after a setup from Reapi Uluinasau, pushing Fiji ahead.
However, Brazil’s Thalia Costa seized on a momentary lapse in Fiji’s defense to sprint 60 meters and score, shifting the momentum. Fiji’s situation worsened when captain Raijieli Daveua was sent off for a foul, leaving the team a player short. Brazil capitalized on the advantage, with Lima scoring her second try of the match, bringing the halftime score to 21-10 in favor of Brazil.
After the break, Fiji’s Laisana Likuceva quickly took advantage of a Brazilian error at the lineout to score. Minutes later, Naimasi sprinted for her second try of the match. Despite Fiji’s spirited comeback, Brazil held on and sealed their victory with a final try from Yasmim Soares.
The Fijiana team will face South Africa for the 11th place tomorrow at 2.30 am. In earlier matches, Fiji lost 17-14 to Canada, 40-12 to China, and 38-7 to New Zealand.
This is Fijiana’s worst performance in the Olympics, following their quarterfinal appearance in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal win at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.