The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side has been bundled out of the HSBC Hong Kong 7s Cup competition after a heartbreaking 19-12 loss to New Zealand.
NZ started the game well with a converted try to Regan Ware in the first minute but Fiji replied with a converted try to Ponipate Loganimasi in the 4th minute to level the score at 7-all.
Rookie winger Joji Nasova scored his first World 7s Series try in the corner with the conversion missing to give Fiji a 12-7 lead at the break.
NZ showed a lot of determination in defence preventing Fiji from crossing their try line as they capitalised on opportunities to score points.
Xavier Tito-Harris levelled the score at 12-all with a try in the corner for NZ before forward Tone Ng Shiu broke the hearts of the Fijians to score the winning converted try at the stroke of fulltime.
Fiji will now face South Africa in the 5th place play-off at 7 tonight.
NZ will face Australia at 6.06 tonight in the Men’s second Cup semi final.
In the first semi final, Ireland will take on France at 5.40 this afternoon.
The Men’s Cup Final will kick off at 10.53 tonight. Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side has also been bundled out of the Hong Kong 7s Cup competition after their 33-7 loss to the USA in the Women’s Cup quarter final.
They will play Canada at 6.32 tonight in the 5th place play-off.
In the Women’s Cup semi finals, the USA will play France at 4.54pm today and NZ will play Australia at 5.17 this afternoon.
The Women’s Cup Final will kick off at 10.13 tonight.
Live Updates
0' Fiji kicks off first half. FIJ 0-0 NZ
0' First scrum to NZ at the half way after the kick off went out on the full by Fiji. FIJ -00- NZ
1' Regan Ware scores NZ's first try of the match. Conversion successful. FIJ 0-7 NZ
2' Scrum to Fiji at halfway after kick off went out on the full by NZ. FIJ 0-7 NZ
3' NZ knocks the ball on inside Fiji's 10 metre line. Scrum to Fiji. FIJ 0-7 NZ
4' Ponipate Loganimasi scores a converted try for Fiji under the post to level the score. FIJ 7-7 NZ6' Joji Nasova scores Fiji's second try in the corner to give them the lead. Conversion unsuccessful. FIJ 14-7 NZ
Halftime: Fiji 12-7 NZ
7' NZ kicks off the second half. FIJ 12-7 NZ
10' Lineout to NZ inside their own territory. FIJ 12-7 NZ
12' Xavier Tito-Harris scores NZ's second try in the corner. Ref goes to the TMO to check for a high tackle by Fiji. Conversion unsuccessful. FIJ 12-12 NZ
14' Tone Ng Shiu scores the winning try for NZ under the post. Conversion successful. FIJ 12-19 NZ
Fulltime: Fiji 12-19 NZ
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