Monday, March 30, 2009
Fiji beat South Africa to win the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens
It was Fiji who dominated the first half with all the flair and power were used to seeing from them, but South Africa came back strong, fighting till the death.
It was a slightly new look Fijian squad at this years tournament, as many of the overseas players were axed following a poor showing at the Sevens World Cup in Dubai. But the selections paid dividends as they proved their naysayers wrong.
"Back home we were written off by our fans but it worked in our favour," Fijis coach Iliesa Tanivula said.
"There were no expectations. It gave us motivation to do better. Fijians around the world didn't give us a chance but all credit to the boys, I take my hat off to them."
South Africa scored after the hooter, setting up a conversion kick for captain Mzwandile Stick that would have tied the game and taken it into sudden death extra time.
The kick went wide though, and it was not to be for the South Africans this time, as Fiji celebrated a fantastic win.
They now move up to third on the Sevens World Series standings, behind South Africa and England.
Time: 10:00
Posted at 9:34 am | 15 comments
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Viewing 15 comments
johncarew March 30, 2009 11:24 am
Wow so close. Fidji deserved it 100 times though
bokkkk March 30, 2009 12:58 pm
SA clearly the best country in world rugby at the moment.
kenyannnn March 30, 2009 1:45 pm
lol.. nah, Kenya are clearly the best country in world rugby at the moment. sowwy nz
adrian March 30, 2009 2:15 pm
kenya did so well to knock out the new zealanders =)well play to Hong Kong as well, as they beat portugal and tonga.
cheyanqui March 30, 2009 2:25 pm
I nearly always root for the underdog in 7s, so it's great to see historic underdogs like Kenya, Wales, Portugal, and USA do well.However, it's just as important for 7s to have Fiji back on track and playing well. First, it makes the underdog successes that much more meaningful.Second, a strong Fiji in 7s is very important to the Olympic bid.One of the big arguments for rugby 7s is that it may give underrepresented Olympic countries a shot at a medal. The Pacific Islands are that argument's best example. Fiji & Samoa have never medaled.Tonga has one silver.Cook Islands has never medaled either (although not a likely rugby 7s medalist)
okgo March 30, 2009 7:31 pm
Where is William Ryder, lights up any match he is in!!Frannie Steyn wudda got it :P
Anarchangel March 30, 2009 8:38 pm
Maybe the Cooks could manage an Olympic plate of some hue.
realitycheck March 31, 2009 2:38 am
bokkkk says "SA clearly the best country in world rugby at the moment."huh? they lost this game, they are #2 in the IRB test rankings, they finished bottom of the last Tri-Nations, they have only 3 of the current top ten S14 teams and boast the two bottom sides.Getting a bit carried away there bokkkk.
Boz March 31, 2009 3:46 am
Some pretty weak looking calls against Fiji. Glad to not see it cost them this one. USA on the rise!! In sevens anyway.
Anonymous March 31, 2009 10:16 pm
William Ryders Been Axed From The Sevens Side Due To A Statement He Made In Fiji If I Heard Correctly
Anonymous April 02, 2009 12:54 am
agree with bozb.s. calls esspecially the last call in the final 30 secs of the game.. i have a feeling the irb doesn't want the island nations to win.. watch the semis against england.. couple of shady calls.. and the semi match between samoa and england in dubai.. shoot i could go on and on
suzy April 12, 2009 5:26 am
REALY AN AWESOME MATCH...FIJI BEATG SA......N YA WHER TH HECK Z RIDER....SMBODY HOLLA ABT HIM PLIZZZZZ
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