The Fiji Airways Men’s 7s rugby team kicked off their LA 7s campaign with a thrilling yet heartbreaking match, narrowly losing 17-12 to New Zealand. The clash opened with Fiji displaying remarkable intensity, as Isikeli Basialo set a fierce defensive tone by reclaiming possession from the Kiwis. The early energy paid off when Joji Nasova broke through New Zealand’s defense to score the first try. Moments later, Filipe Sauturaga added to Fiji’s lead with another impressive finish, taking the score to 12-0 at halftime.
However, in the second half, the All Blacks Sevens regrouped and quickly made their move with a try from Tone Ng Shiu, narrowing Fiji’s advantage. Tensions escalated late in the match as Fiji’s Tira Welagi and New Zealand’s Sofai Maka exchanged heated words, adding drama to the encounter. Maka ultimately had the last say, scoring to secure New Zealand’s victory.
Fiji’s earlier matches in the HSBC series, such as their commanding 38-0 win over the USA in Singapore and a decisive 36-5 win against New Zealand, had set high expectations for this contest. The team’s previous performances have been marked by strong offensive play and solid defense, fostering hope among fans for a successful tournament ahead despite this challenging start.
The resilience shown by Fiji in this opening game reflects their capacity to bounce back in upcoming matches, underlining their potential in rugby sevens. As they move forward, fans remain optimistic that the experienced leadership and emerging talent within the squad will guide them to future successes. With critical matches ahead, there is plenty of excitement for the journey of the Fiji men’s 7s team in the Los Angeles tournament.
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