Fiji thrash Australia to take the London 7s title and top spot on series standings

Fiji thrash Australia to take the London 7s title and top spot on series standings

By Apenisa Waqairadovu and Semi Turaga
27/05/2019
[Photo: World Rugby Sevens]

The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team have successfully defended their London 7s title after thrashing Australia 43-7 in the final this morning.

Fiji is now leading the HSBC World Sevens Series standings with 164 points, USA has dropped to second place with 162 points, New Zealand has 143 points in third place and South Africa remains in fourth place with 131 points.

Fiji absolutely dominated in attack and defence denying Australia any chance of trying to scoop the title.

Vilimoni Botitu scored the first try in the third minute.

Fiji continued applying pressure to Australia which saw Aminiasi Tuimaba scoring a hat trick before halftime.

Fiji led 24-0 at halftime.

Australia finally made the break in the second half where they scored a try in the second minute before Josua Vakurunabili crossed the try line again for Fiji’s fifth try in the match.

Alasio Naduva sealed the win for Fiji with another two tries.

Coach, Gareth Baber says he was satisfied with the win.

Meli Derenalagi was named the HSBC Player of the final.

Derenalagi says the win was possible because they set goals.

Derenalagi and Jerry Tuwai were included in the London 7s Dream Team.

They were joined by Stephen Tomasin of USA, Pierre Lakafia of France, Maurice Longbottom and Henry Hutchison of Australia and Andrew Knewstubb of New Zealand.

Meanwhile, USA finished third after defeating France 31-14 in the third place playoff while New Zealand settled for fifth place after beating Ireland 35-14 in the fifth place play-off.

The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team is pooled with Ireland, England and Argentina in Pool A of the Paris 7s this weekend.

Pool B includes Australia, South Africa, Wales and Kenya.

USA heads Pool C alongside Canada, Samoa and Spain.

France, New Zealand, Scotland and Japan are in Pool D.

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Total - Hong Kong 7s

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