The Fiji Airways men’s sevens team celebrated a remarkable success by winning all their pool matches in the HSBC Dubai 7s last Saturday, securing victories against Spain, New Zealand, and the United States.
In their opening match, Fiji overcame a halftime deficit to triumph over Spain with a score of 21-15, showcasing their resilience. The team turned the game around thanks to tries from Kavekini Tanivanuakula, Terio Tamani, and George Bose. They continued their winning streak against the United States, delivering an impressive performance to claim a 42-20 victory. Notable contributions included tries from Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Filipe Sauturaga, Iowane Teba, and two by Joji Nasova.
Fiji’s final pool match saw them secure a 21-12 win against New Zealand, a crucial game that confirmed their progression to the cup quarter-finals. Terio Tamani, Pilipo Bukayaro, and Filipe Sauturaga each scored converted tries in this decisive clash.
Despite the team’s successful run, head coach Osea Kolinisau addressed some shortcomings revealed during the matches, particularly in the game against New Zealand. He highlighted that the team failed to capitalize on several opportunities and emphasized the need for improvement going into the quarter-finals.
Fiji will face France in the upcoming cup quarter-final, rekindling a rivalry that echoes the gold medal match from the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Fiji secured the silver medal after a challenging defeat.
The Dubai 7s finals took place this morning, marking an exciting chapter for Fiji’s rugby sevens campaign.
This victory serves not only to boost team morale but also offers a chance for improvement as they prepare to take on France, presenting a pathway to potentially replicate their Olympic success. The team’s determination to refine their skills and capitalize on opportunities could lead to even greater achievements in the upcoming matches.
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