Fiji secured a thrilling victory against France in the semifinals of the HSBC Dubai 7s, winning 19-17 in a nail-biting finish. The match was intense from the beginning, especially after Fiji lost their captain, Jeremaia Matana, due to a head injury in the opening minutes.
France started strong, with Liam Delamare scoring an early try, although the conversion was missed. Fiji responded just a minute later, as Kavekini Tanivanuakula managed to equalize, followed by a successful conversion from Filipe Sauturaga, putting Fiji ahead. By halftime, they extended their lead to 14-5 after Sauturaga converted another try just before the buzzer.
The second half was equally fierce, with Fiji striving to maintain their lead. However, the situation grew complicated when Tanivanuakula received a yellow card, leaving Fiji short-handed. France took advantage of this opportunity, first narrowing the score with a try by Jordan Sepho, converted by Paulin Riva. They then took the lead with a try from Victor Hannoun.
In a dramatic final moment, Fiji’s Vuiviwa Naduvalo made a break to score the winning try, sealing the game and propelling them into the finals. This match showcased Fiji’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, making it an exciting display of skill and determination in the tournament.
In summary, despite facing challenges such as a head injury to their captain and a crucial yellow card, Fiji demonstrated their fighting spirit, ultimately overcoming France to advance in the tournament. Moving forward, the team will hope to carry this momentum and continue to excel on the international stage.
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