The Fiji Men’s Development team faced a tough defeat in the final of the 2024 Oceania 7s tournament held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on Sunday, losing to Samoa with a score of 17-12 after extra time.
Samoa took command early in the match, leading 5-0 at halftime. They increased their advantage shortly after the break, but Fiji showed resilience and staged a remarkable comeback to equalize the score. Iosefo Namoce’s crucial try brought Fiji level, but a missed conversion by Solomoni Rauqe kept the game tied and led to extra time.
In the extra period, Samoa quickly capitalized on their momentum and secured the winning try right after the restart. In other tournament news, Tonga secured third place by defeating Tuvalu 24-19 in another closely contested match that also went into extra time.
This performance by the Fiji Men’s Development team highlights their determination and potential, suggesting that with continued effort and focus, they can build on this experience for future competitions. The close scoreline reflects the competitive nature of the tournament, indicating a promising future for Pacific rugby.
In summary, while Fiji did not achieve the desired outcome this time, their fighting spirit and ability to challenge a strong Samoa team bode well for their development and future performances.
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