Spain's tactical mastery of the restart game sent the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s packing from the Vancouver 7s after a 24-17 semifinal defeat that leaves the hosts scrambling for consolation in the bronze playoff. Spain converted three restarts into 19 points and compelled lengthy periods of pressure early on, while a late sending-off for Fiji captain Jerry Matana handed the Spanish the decisive score with a penalty try two minutes from time.
From the first whistle Spain seized control, forcing turnovers and dominating territory. The visitors executed three near-perfect restarts, each one yielding a try and piling scoreboard pressure on a Fijian side that was starved of possession for almost five straight minutes in the first half. That sustained spell without the ball allowed Spain to build a 17-0 lead before Fiji finally worked their way back into the contest.
Fiji clawed their way back just before halftime, finding possession with about a minute remaining and turning it into two quick tries. Nacani Boginisoko crossed first and captain Jerry Matana touched down soon after, narrowing the deficit to 17-10 at the break and giving the home team a foothold for the second half.
The start of the second half belonged to Fiji as well. Following some gritty defensive work inside Spain’s half, Joseva Talacolo scored the opening try of the second spell to level or close the gap and raise hopes of a Fijian comeback. Fiji looked to have seized momentum, but Spain’s restart efficiency and discipline under pressure kept them in the contest until the final moments.
The match turned decisively in the closing stages when Matana was shown a red card for an off-the-ball foul with roughly two minutes remaining. The incident resulted in a penalty try being awarded to Spain, extending their lead and extinguishing Fiji’s hopes of a late fightback. The loss leaves Fiji to regroup for Saturday’s third-place playoff against Australia, while Spain advance to the Vancouver final to meet South Africa.
On the women’s side, the Fijiana’s Vancouver campaign will continue in the fifth-place playoff, where they are scheduled to face Canada after earlier progress in the tournament. The men's and women's sides now shift focus to immediate placement matches, with Fiji aiming to salvage podium hardware in the men's bronze game and the Fijiana seeking to close out their week on a high against the host nation.
The semifinal result underscores the growing importance of restart strategy in the World Rugby Sevens Series and will raise questions about Fiji’s ability to manage set-piece possession and discipline under high-pressure conditions as the tournament moves into its final day.
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