Fiji race clear in Las Vegas

Fiji beat the odds to defeat Australia in an absorbing Cup final in Las Vegas to take the top spot at the HSBC Sevens Series event. While that might sound strange considering they entered the tournament as joint-leaders on the overall Series table, the players had to overcome the emotion of a catastrophic cyclone in their homeland just days ago, an illness that swept through the team prior to the tournament, and an opening loss to Samoa just to make the final.

To make it even more dramatic, Fiji surrendered three tries to fall behind 15-0 at halftime of the final before storming back with three of their own, all converted, to lift the Cup and move five points clear of the herd in the race for the overall Series title. The emotional victory brought tears to players and fans alike, with numerous Fijians in attendance flooding onto the pitch at the final whistle to celebrate with their heroes.

Australia will be bitterly disappointed with the loss but were perhaps fortunate to make the final when a reckless Rosko Specman shoulder charge on Quade Cooper – which sent the Wallaby star flying into touch just inches away from the tryline – resulted in a penalty try and yellow card instead of a turnover. It was deja vu on the final play as Ed Jenkins raced away with Specman again the villain, hauling the Australian captain down by the neck for a second penalty try and a red card. The conversion knocked the Blitzbokke into the Bronze final.

Waiting for them was the Eagles, who fought manfully against Fiji in the semi final but came up short, a consolation try at the death by Madison Hughes closing the score at 21-14 in favour of the eventual champions. The Bronze final proved too much against South Africa, who redeemed themselves with a dominant victory over the gracious hosts.

Canada’s day got off to a positive start as they ran through a withering English side by four tries to one. England departed without a single victory in the tournament for only the second time in the history of the Series, the last time coming at Adelaide in 2008. Samoa was next for the Northern Americans, and their chief Olympic rivals came up tops once again as they capitalised on several unforced errors to win 24-12.

South American representatives Argentina very nearly caused another upset in their Plate semi final contest, leading 19-14 and taking New Zealand to the edge before Beaudein Waaka saved the day with a late try to take the game to extra time. Gillies Kaka spoiled the party with the match-winner to send the Pumas to an early shower.

England’s dismal performance combined with the respectable showing from the USA means the host side jumps from 7th to 5th on the standings, tied with Argentina on points but slightly ahead on differential. Canada stays put in 12th spot.

The Series continues next weekend as it travels north to Vancouver for the first time.

 

 

DAY THREE RESULTS

SHIELD SEMI FINALS
Canada 24 – 7 England
Portugal 14 – 29 Samoa

BOWL SEMI FINALS
Russia 14 – 15 France
Wales 21 – 14 Scotland

PLATE SEMI FINALS
Kenya 14 – 19 Japan
New Zealand 24 – 19 Argentina

CUP SEMI FINALS
USA 14 – 21 Fiji
South Africa 12 – 14 Australia

SHIELD FINAL
Canada 12 – 24 Samoa

BOWL FINAL
France 14 – 28 Wales

PLATE FINAL
Japan 7 – 27 New Zealand

BRONZE FINAL
USA 10 – 21 South Africa

CUP FINAL
Fiji 21 – 15 Australia