Fiji beat New Zealand to win Cathay Pacific HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015
Thursday, 2 April 2015 00:00
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Despite almost slipping up to England in the quarterfinals on Sunday morning, Fiji continued their determined momentum and dazzling display of talent to win a well-deserved Cup victory at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, round six of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
The win puts them just two points behind South Africa (110) in the overall series standings, and one point ahead of third-placed New Zealand (107), with Australia (84) and England (78) rounding out the top five as the race for Olympic qualification continues.
“This victory is certainly up there,” Fiji’s coach Ben Ryan said. “Outstanding performance by the team, they controlled the game really well tactically. Our bench were magnificent. We’ve spent a lot of time of defence and it’s starting to pay dividends.”
Fiji started brightly with tries to Savenaca Rawaca and Jerry Tuwai to race to a 14-0 lead. Rawaca’s second, against the run of play, extended the lead to 21-0 before Beaudine Waaka scored in the corner right on the break.
Sherwin Stowers created space for Scott Curry to cross adjacent to the posts to get his side back in the game at 21-12 but Jasa Veremalua responded immediately for the Pacific islanders.
The All Black Sevens fought back again with Curry picking up his second after good lead up work from Sam Dickson but Fiji’s Apisai Domolailai extended the lead again to put the result beyond doubt with less than a minute to play.
Fiji’s teamwork was outstanding at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015. Earlier, South Africa beat Samoa 26-5 in the play-off for third place, picking up 17 valuable points to maintain their place at the top of the overall series standings.
Earlier in the Cup semi-final, Jerry Tuwai broke free to score Fiji’s first followed by tries to Semi Kunatani and Pio Tuwai. Frankie Horne, Cecil Afrika and Seabelo Senatla hit back with tries for the Blitzboks in the second half to reduce the lead to 21-15 as the match went down to the wire.
Sir Gordon Tietjens’ side scored a late penalty drop-goal from Joe Webber to secure a 15-14 victory over Samoa to set up a repeat of the USA Sevens final.
Scott Curry and Sherwin Stowers capitalised for a 12-0 half-time lead before Samoa struck back on the resumption of play with Lafaele Vaa breaking free of the All Blacks Sevens defence before Samoa Taloa gave his side a 14-12 lead. Curry gave Webber the ball once a penalty had been won to secure the defending champions’ place in the final.
