Fiji won all their pool matches, beating South Korea 45-7 in their first game, defeat France 33-28 in their second pool match and then thumped Argentina 38-14 in their last pool.
Major heartbreak for the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team in the Los Angeles 7s as they lost 29-24 in extra time to South Africa in the Cup Final.
The match went into extra time with Fiji only having six men due to a late yellow card to Waisea Nacuqu.
Fiji led 19-7 at half time.
Fiji’s tries in the match came from Vilimoni Botitu, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Napolioni Bolaca and Jerry Tuwai.
Fiji has never won in LA.
It was the 17th Cup final between the two sides.
Fiji is now third on the HSBC World 7s Series points table with 72 points.
Leading is New Zealand with 93 points and second is South Africa with 89 points.
| PLAY BY PLAY |
Fiji |
24-29 |
South Africa |
| TIME | ||
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'0 | South Africa kicks off |
| Botitu score the first try for Fiji | '1 | |
| Mocenacagi forces his way over to score the 2nd try | '3 | |
| Bolaca scores 3rd try for Fiji | '6 | |
| '7 | South Africa score a try under the post | |
| HALFTIME |
|
Fiji kicks off |
'0 | |
| '9 | South Africa score 2nd try | |
| Jerry scores 4th try for Fiji | '11 | |
| '13 | South Africa scores another try | |
| EXTRA TIME |
|
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'14 | South Africa scored their last try |
| FULLTIME |
It was a one sided affair as Fiji dominated the game and scored a total of seven tries and conceded just one.
Hard hitting tackles, timely offloads and some quality work at the ruck gave Fiji a lot of possession.
Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba scored two tries each while Jerry Tuwai, Asaeli Tuivuaka and Livai Ikanikoda scored a try each.
Fiji led 19-7 at half-time.
Captain, Meli Derenalagi was yellow carded in the first half for challenging a player in mid-air.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick-off at 12.26pm today.
Stay with us for updates.
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The quarterfinals of the Los Angeles 7s have been confirmed and Fiji will be facing England in the first quarterfinal at 5.43 am tomorrow.
Fiji won all their pool matches, beating South Korea 45-7 in their first game, defeat France 33-28 in their second pool match and then thumped Argentina 38-14 in their last pool.
In other quarterfinals, Ireland will take on Australia at 6.05 am tomorrow, New Zealand will play France at 6.27 am tomorrow while South Africa will face USA at 6.49 am tomorrow.
Looking at the results of day 1, Ireland defeated Canada 17-12, South Africa thrashed Kenya 31-5, Australia thumped Scotland 31-7, USA beat Samoa 19-17, New Zealand defeated Spain 21-7, England defeated Wales 31-14, Argentina defeated South Korea 45-19, Canada defeated Kenya 24-0, South Africa drew with Ireland by 19 points, Samoa defeated Scotland 7-0 while Australia beat USA 17-7.
Day 2 of the Los Angeles 7s will start at 4.15 am tomorrow with Argentina taking on Wales in the 9th place quarterfinals. The Cup semifinals will start at 9:23 am tomorrow while the Cup final will kick off at 12.26 pm tomorrow.
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team will face England in the first quarter-final of the Los Angeles 7s after defeating Argentina 33-14 in their last pool match.
Aminiasi Tuimaba scored two tries while Jerry Tuwai, Napolioni Bolaca, Waisea Nacuqu, and Alasio Naduva scored a try each.
The match started with back to back tries from both teams but Tuimaba’s second try in the last minute of the first half enabled Fiji to a 19-14 lead at the break.
Bolaca, Nacuqu and Naduva’s try in the second half sealed the victory for Fiji.
Fiji will take on England in the first quarterfinal at 5.43 am tomorrow.
In other results, New Zealand defeated Spain 21-7, England defeated Wales 31-14, Argentina defeated South Korea 45-19, Kenya defeated Ireland 29-12, South Africa thumped Canada 33-5, Australia defeated Samoa 31-5, USA defeated Scotland 33-12, Wales defeated Spain 24-14, New Zealand defeated England 21-17 and France defeated South Korea 31-12.
The Cup semifinals will start at 7.55 am tomorrow while the Cup final will kick off at 12.26 pm tomorrow.
We saw one helluva tackle from @fijirugby's Aminiasi Tuimaba on day one.#LASevens https://t.co/ZDiWHBMG1G
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 1, 2020
| PLAY BY PLAY |
Fiji |
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Argentina |
| TIME | ||
| '0 | Argentina kicks off 1st half | |
| Jerry Tuwai scores Fiji's 1st try | '1 | |
| '2 | Argentina strikes back | |
| Tuimaba replies with another try | '4 | |
| '6 | Argentina responds with another try to take the lead | |
| Tuimaba gets his second try | '7 | |
| HALFTIME |
| TIME | ||
| Bolaca scores the first try in the 2nd half | '8 | |
| Wise Nacuqu scores under the post | '10 | |
| Nitro Speedster Naduva scores the final try for Fiji | '14 | |
| FULLTIME |
| Date | Time | Team | Team | |
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Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team will be looking to go back-to-back at the Los Angeles 7s after claiming their first title of the 2019/2020 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Sydney earlier this month.
Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber has retained all his players who were part of the Hamilton and Sydney leg.
Speaking from LA, Baber says they know the tournament will be tough and therefore they need to be very smart on how they approach their opponents from the very first pool game against South Korea.
He says they have had some good sessions where they have worked on a few areas which needed to be polished before the tournament.
Baber has included Police 7s winger, Suliano Volivoli to be the 13th man while Apenisa Cakaubalavu has been rested.
Other players that have been named includes Meli Derenalagi, Livai Ikanikoda, Waisea Nacuqu, Jerry Tuwai, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Vakurunabili, Alasio Naduva, Asaeli Tuivuaka, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Napolioni Bolaca, Kavetakini Tabu and Sevuloni Mocenacagi.
Fiji’s first pool match is against South Korea at 6.51 am tomorrow.
The national side will then face France at 9.47 am tomorrow while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05 pm tomorrow.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43 am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55 am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26 pm next Monday.
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach, Gareth Baber has named his 13 member team that will participate in the Los Angeles 7s tomorrow.
The 13 member team includes captain Meli Derenalagi, Livai Ikanikoda, Waisea Nacuqu, Jerry Tuwai, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Vakurunabili, Alasio Naduva, Asaeli Tuivuaka, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Napolioni Bolaca, Kavetakini Tabu, Suliano Volivolituevei and Sevuloni Mocenacagi.
Fiji’s first pool match is against South Korea at 6.51 am tomorrow.
The national side will then face France at 9.47 am tomorrow while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05 pm tomorrow.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43 am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55 am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26 pm next Monday.
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team captain Meli Derenalagi says they will not be affected by the different atmosphere in Los Angeles and remain focused on the job ahead.
Derenalagi says this is his first time in LA and he predicts there will be a different crowd and atmosphere.
He says they have to be vigilant in the pool as they have been upset by Argentina and France earlier this season and they cannot count out South Korea.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
| Date | Time | Team | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s Coach Gareth Baber says a win this week in Los Angeles will enable them to move closer to their goals of retaining the series and win gold in the Olympic Games.
Speaking from LA, Baber says during their training sessions they look at ways they can become better and how to progress from tournament to tournament.
He says it is important that players stay in that same level they were in Sydney as this week they have been working on areas he sees they need to improve in as their restarts and ball retention.
Baber is expected to name his 13 member team tomorrow.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
| Date | Time | Team | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s Team Coach Gareth Baber says their defeats this season to France and Argentina was hurtful and they want to put that right as they prepare to face the two teams in their pool in the Los Angeles this weekend.
He says there is danger across the board in these tournaments and they have not reacted well when playing these two teams.
Baber says they know that they have to work hard and make sure they are accurate with bits of the game.
He says they have talked about their opposition and repeating the performance they did in the Sydney 7s to be able to win the tournament.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
| Date | Time | Team | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s Coach Gareth Baber says all fourteen players are still up for selection for this week’s tournament in Los Angeles.
Speaking from Los Angeles, Baber says the players have been showing much improvement during their training sessions this week and senior players have been stepping up to their roles.
He says new comer, Suliasi Volivolituevei is now learning and evolving in his role and in the next three days of training he will be in the place where they need him to be.
Baber is expected to name his 13 member team on Friday.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
| Date | Time | Team | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach, Gareth Baber says it is important they get their mindset right in what they can do in a tournament before they take on France and Argentina in the pool stage of the Los Angeles 7s.
Baber says they still need to win every game to win the title which is something they did in Sydney.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s coach, Gareth Baber says they will take one game at a time as two of their pool opponents have beaten them this season.
Fiji were defeated by Argentina 24-21 in the pool stages in Dubai while France defeated Fiji 29-24 in the third-place play-off at Cape Town.
Baber says they are in a tough pool as they are pooled with invitational side South Korea and ever-improving Argentina and France.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
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Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team Captain Meli Derenalagi says he truly appreciates and is thankful for the help he has been receiving from Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu and Sevuloni Mocenacagi.
Derenalagi says it is a challenging role.
He says the new player in the side Suliano Volivolituevei has proven himself in training and they cannot wait to play together in the Los Angeles 7s this weekend.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s Coach, Gareth Baber says the team has talked about the need not to be distracted by certain elements in the Los Angeles 7s as it is a new tournament.
Baber says the training run with the Australia 7s team tomorrow will help the team identify some of these things.
The Fiji 7s team has only won one tournament this season which is the Sydney 7s.
Fiji is in 5th place on the World 7s Series points table with 53 points.
Leading the table is New Zealand with 76 points, second is South Africa with 67 points, third is France with 56 points while England is in fourth place with 54 points.
Fiji’s first pool match in the Los Angeles 7s is against South Korea at 6.51am this Sunday.
The national side will then face France at 9.47am this Sunday while Fiji’s final pool match is against Argentina at 1.05pm this Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals start at 5.43am next Monday while the Cup semifinals will start at 7.55am next Monday.
The Cup final of the Los Angeles 7s will kick off at 12.26pm next Monday.
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s 14 member squad left for Los Angeles in the US last night for the next leg of the HSBC World 7s Series.
The players were farewelled by family and friends at the Nadi International Airport.
Coach Gareth Baber has named Police 7s team player Suliano Volivolituevei in the squad for the Los Angeles and Vancouver 7s.
Also included is Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Josua Vakurunabili Kavekini Tabu, Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Meli Derenalagi, Vilimoni Botitu, Waisea Nacuqu, Jerry Tuwai, Alasio Naduva, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Livai Ikanikoda, Asaeli Tuivuaka, and Napolioni Ratu.
Fiji is pooled with France, Argentina, and South Korea for the Los Angeles 7s which starts next Sunday.
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With the Los Angeles 7s pools confirmed, the Fiji Airways Men's National 7s team main challenge will be the much more improved French and Argentinian teams.
Fiji has met France twice this season, defeating them 24-14 in the pool stage in the Dubai 7s and losing 29-24 in the third-place play-off in the Cape Town 7s.
Argentina will be another opponent that Fiji will need to be aware of as they were the team that beat Fiji 26-10 in the final pool match of the Hamilton 7s.
Fiji is pooled with Argentina, France and South Korea in Los Angeles.
South Africa, Ireland, Canada and Kenya are in Pool B, USA, Australia, Scotland and Samoa are in Pool C and England, New Zealand, Wales and Spain make up Pool D.
The Los Angeles 7s will be held on the 1st and 2nd of March
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