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

By Apenisa Waqairadovu and Semi Turaga

Monday 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.

CHAMPIONS!

Fiji go back-to-back at the #London7s and go top of the #HSBC7s heading into the final leg next week in Paris pic.twitter.com/hOhlJxG6Jj
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

All the emotion.

Get up close with @fijirugby after their win at the #London7s pic.twitter.com/unBwSFubDV
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

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.

The #HSBC7s standings looks like this heading into the final round in Paris next weekend! pic.twitter.com/teGk4jq1To
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

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.

One of the greatest traditions in the #HSBC7s

Fiji lift the @HSBC_Sport ball carrier at the #London7s pic.twitter.com/GncQqkDKx4
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

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

Fiji led 24-0 at halftime.

Drum roll please 🥁🥁🥁

Your #DHLImpactPlayer for the #London7s is Aminiasi Tuimaba, with 47 points! @DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/Rbmj7FFRCe
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

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.

Unstoppable Fiji.

Off the restart, Naduva flies through. Talent on tap.#DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/Fl6V37US6h
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

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

REACTION: Fiji head coach Gareth Baber on his side's emphatic victory at the #London7s pic.twitter.com/CLqSS915fU
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

Meli Derenalagi was named the HSBC Player of the final.

Derenalagi says the win was possible because they set goals.

The @HSBC_Sport Player of the Final for the #London7s is Meli Derenalagi pic.twitter.com/NrNnwCzZlj
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

That winning feeling. 🏆🙌

Your #London7s Player of the Final is Meli Derenalagi! 🇫🇯 pic.twitter.com/0If760Rl1S
— HSBC Sport (@HSBC_Sport) May 26, 2019

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.

The @HSBC_Sport Dream Team for the #London7s

🇺🇸@USARugby - Stephen Tomasin
🇫🇷@FFRugby - Pierre Gilles Lakafia
🇫🇯@fijirugby - Meli Derenalagi
🇦🇺@Aussie7s - Maurice Longbottom
🇫🇯@fijirugby - Jerry Tuwai
🇳🇿@AllBlacks7s - Andrew Knewstubb
🇦🇺@Aussie7s - Henry Hutchison pic.twitter.com/cSJu41Zu57
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019

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.

Your Pools for the #Paris7s

Pool A@fijirugby @IrishRugby @LosPumas7s @EnglandRugby

Pool B@Aussie7s @Blitzboks @WelshRugbyUnion @OfficialKRU

Pool C @USARugby @RugbyCanada @manusamoa @ferugby

Pool D@FFRugby @AllBlacks7s @Scotlandteam @JRFURugby pic.twitter.com/n0QqW2Yva6
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 26, 2019