Unstoppable Fiji win Vancouver Sevens

Fiji left no doubt as to who was the top team at the Vancouver Sevens after a thoroughly convincing 31-12 win over Kenya in the Cup Final. It closed a perfect tournament for the irrepressible Fijians who coasted past Argentina in the Quarter Finals and edged HSBC Sevens Series leaders South Africa in the Semi Finals en route to their second tournament win of the season following their gold-winning performance in Hamilton just two stops ago.

It was heartbreak for the USA in the Semi Final, losing to Kenya on a breakaway try to Oscar Ouma with time expired. Two tries from Perry Baker in the opening minutes had the Eagles in prime position to reach another Cup Final but Nelson Oyoo responded with a double for the Kenyans in a thrilling contest.

The USA would finish in fourth place overall, fielding a reserve side in a one-sided loss to South Africa in the Bronze Final. They had earlier achieved an impressive 17-0 shutout of New Zealand in the Quarter Finals but couldn’t maintain their accuracy at the end of an exhausting week.

Argentina’s day ended early as they dropped out in the 5th place Semi Finals. They matched Australia for tries but James Stannard’s four-for-four kicking effort proved the difference. The Pumas were no match for Fiji in the Quarter Final, conceding seven tries in a 43-7 blowout.

Hosts Canada slipped to a disappointing 14th overall after losing to Samoa in their final match of the tournament. Their first match of the day was a lackluster 19-0 loss to Scotland. They rebounded with an improved showing against France but will not be satisfied with their overall showing on their home turf.

Uruguay came close to achieving victory against Russia in their opening match of the day with a Joaquín Alonso try making things interesting but ultimately their tournament would end winless. Francisco Berchesi and Diego Ardao touched down in a heavy defeat to Samoa in the 13th place Semi Finals.

Most notably for Canadian fans the tournament set a new Vancouver attendance record with 77,096 admitted over the two days, a mark that will surely guarantee the tournament for another four years when World Rugby announces its hosting rights for 2020-2023 later this summer.

The circuit now takes a three-week break before returning in the most prestigious event on the calendar, the Hong Kong Sevens. This year’s tournament will also double as a Qualifier for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco later this year.

DAY TWO RESULTS

TROPHY QUARTER FINALS
Canada 0 – 19 Scotland
France 12 – 19 Wales
Russia 14 – 7 Uruguay
Samoa 0 – 24 Spain

CUP QUARTER FINALS
Australia 19 – 24 South Africa
Fiji 43 – 7 Argentina
New Zealand 0 – 17 USA
England 0 – 12 Kenya

13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Canada 31 – 19 France
Uruguay 14 – 45 Samoa

TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Scotland 26 – 15 Wales
Russia 7 – 14 Spain

5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Australia 28 – 24 Argentina
New Zealand 17 – 21 England

CUP SEMI FINALS
South Africa 12 – 15 Fiji
USA 19 – 24 Kenya

13th PLACE FINAL
Canada 15 – 21 Samoa

TROPHY FINAL
Scotland 29 – 5 Spain

5th PLACE FINAL
Australia 14 – 31 England

BRONZE FINAL
South Africa 29 – 7 USA

CUP FINAL
Fiji 31 – 12 Kenya