Fiji wins Hong Kong 7s title after thumping South Africa

It’s three in a row in style.

The Vodafone Fiji 7s team successfully defended the Hong Kong 7s title after thumping series leaders South Africa 22 0 in the cup final last night.

Man of the Match in the final Kalione Nasoko showed his brilliance scoring two outstanding tries.

Fiji’s first try was scored by Sevuloni Mocenacagi which started from a break by captain Osea Kolinisau.

Lanky forward Mesulame Kunavula scored Fiji’s second try as they produced a different class of hard-hitting defence, offloads and support play.

The national side continued to pounce on South Africa’s defensive line that stopped the Blitzboks from winning their first Hong Kong 7s.

Isake Katonibau made a big difference and led the team with aggressive tackles. 

He was also vocal throughout the final to encourage the younger players.

One of Kalione Nasoko's epic tries in the #HK7s final pic.twitter.com/J6KVMAiPpX

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017

Captain Osea Kolinisau says Hong Kong is always special to every Fijian player.

Kolinsau also shared what he told Cecil Africa after the final.

Africa who was seen as the main distributer for South Africa was cut off with hard hits and failed to function against a well-disciplined Fijian side.

Man of the Match Kalione Nasoko says he was honored to play in Hong Kong.

Your @HSBC_Sport Player of the Final is Fiji's Kalione Nasoko, who scored twice in his side's win over South Africa at the #HK7s pic.twitter.com/OhL94t7eGQ

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017

Coach Gareth Baber who executed the perfect plan in the Hong Kong 7s says the win was special for him.

Baber has delivered the major win after just coaching in 5 tournaments. 

Under his leadership, Fiji finished 2nd in the Wellington 7s, won 5th place in Sydney, finished in 2nd place again in Las Vegas and settled for the bronze medal in Vancouver.

As earlier highlighted by Fijivillage, he has finally got the right mix of players after assessing players after the four tournaments before the Hong Kong 7s.

Fiji now sits at second place in the World Sevens Series with 122 points.

The top try scorer, and one incredible finisher, it's @USARugby flyer @SpeedStick11 who is just so darn good at #Rugby7s 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/EkYL8pX5qG

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017

South Africa maintains their lead with 154 points while England are currently in third place with 113 points.

After seven rounds on the #HSBC7s, here's how the standings look. Next up, Singapore! pic.twitter.com/5W2t1OQJSM

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017

The Pools for Singapore 7s this weekend has been confirmed and Fiji is pooled with Canada, Russia and Hong Kong in Pool A.

Your Hong Kong Dream Team. Seven superstars, but who would you have chosen? #HK7s pic.twitter.com/1fnmvQn3YJ

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017

South Africa is in pool B with England, France and Japan.

.@DHLRugby Ostroushko may have won the #DHLImpactPlayer in Hong Kong but it's @Dan_Norton4 leading the @DHLRugby Performance Tracker for the series pic.twitter.com/8Y0W9bM5C9

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017

Australia is in pool C with Argentina, Kenya and Samoa while Pool D includes USA, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales.

The Singapore 7s will be played this weekend.

Fiji will play Hong Kong in their first pool match at 4.52pm Saturday, their second game is against Russia at 7.50pm and their final pool match against Canada at 12.06am Sunday.

Fiji celebrate together after winning the #HK7s. A special moment for the side as they take their first tournament win of the 2016-17 series pic.twitter.com/x8yiVdVKON

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017

WINNERS! Fiji lift the trophy at the #HK7s pic.twitter.com/Zq8OW2oc06

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 9, 2017