Fiji faced a heartbreaking exit from the tournament after suffering a narrow defeat to France, losing 24-17 in the semifinal of the Hong Kong 7s. The match ended dramatically, with a last-minute decision by the Technical Match Official (TMO) awarding France a try that sealed Fiji’s fate.
The contest began with France temporarily reduced to six players due to a high tackle, allowing Fiji’s towering winger Joseva Talacolo to capitalize by scoring the initial try under the posts, which Iowane Teba converted for a 7-0 lead.
France responded resiliently, scoring two consecutive tries from Gregoire Arfeuil and Andy Timo, advancing to a 10-7 lead by halftime.
Fiji came back strong in the second half; Teba showcased his talent with a brilliant individual try, slicing through the French defense to put Fiji ahead 12-10. However, France quickly regained the advantage with a try from Simon Désert following the restart.
As the match drew to a close, Teba impressively assisted Alusio Vakadranu for Fiji’s second try, tying the score at 17-17. However, as the clock ticked down, Fiji lost possession during a critical attacking phase, which led France to mount a final offensive. The tension peaked as a potential forward pass went uncalled; after a consultation with the TMO, the decision went in favor of France, with Mateo Garcia scoring the decisive try.
This match resonates with Fiji’s earlier thrilling experiences against France, notably their dramatic 19-17 victory at the HSBC Dubai 7s, demonstrating how tightly contested their encounters often are. Despite this loss, Fiji displayed tenacity and determination, showcasing their fighting spirit throughout the tournament.
Fiji will look to rebuild and gather momentum for future competitions, fueled by their remarkable exploits that have both fans and players hopeful for what lies ahead.
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