Fiji beat South Africa to win the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens
Fiji won a dramatic final 26-24 against South Africa to claim their first Hong Kong Sevens title in ten years on Sunday. The game went right down to the final kick in one of the more exciting finals we’ve seen.
It was Fiji who dominated the first half with all the flair and power we’re used to seeing from them, but South Africa came back strong, fighting till the death.
It was a slightly new look Fijian squad at this years tournament, as many of the overseas players were axed following a poor showing at the Sevens World Cup in Dubai. But the selections paid dividends as they proved their naysayers wrong.
"Back home we were written off by our fans but it worked in our favour," Fiji’s coach Iliesa Tanivula said.
"There were no expectations. It gave us motivation to do better. Fijians around the world didn't give us a chance but all credit to the boys, I take my hat off to them."
South Africa scored after the hooter, setting up a conversion kick for captain Mzwandile Stick that would have tied the game and taken it into sudden death extra time.
The kick went wide though, and it was not to be for the South Africans this time, as Fiji celebrated a fantastic win.
They now move up to third on the Sevens World Series standings, behind South Africa and England.
Time: 10:00
It was Fiji who dominated the first half with all the flair and power we’re used to seeing from them, but South Africa came back strong, fighting till the death.
It was a slightly new look Fijian squad at this years tournament, as many of the overseas players were axed following a poor showing at the Sevens World Cup in Dubai. But the selections paid dividends as they proved their naysayers wrong.
"Back home we were written off by our fans but it worked in our favour," Fiji’s coach Iliesa Tanivula said.
"There were no expectations. It gave us motivation to do better. Fijians around the world didn't give us a chance but all credit to the boys, I take my hat off to them."
South Africa scored after the hooter, setting up a conversion kick for captain Mzwandile Stick that would have tied the game and taken it into sudden death extra time.
The kick went wide though, and it was not to be for the South Africans this time, as Fiji celebrated a fantastic win.
They now move up to third on the Sevens World Series standings, behind South Africa and England.
Time: 10:00
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15 Comments:
Awesome match. Thanks RD.
By tehsniper, at March 30, 2009 1:13 pm
Wow so close. Fidji deserved it 100 times though
By johncarew, at March 30, 2009 1:24 pm
SA clearly the best country in world rugby at the moment.
By bokkkk, at March 30, 2009 2:58 pm
lol.. nah, Kenya are clearly the best country in world rugby at the moment. sowwy nz
By kenyannnn, at March 30, 2009 3:45 pm
kenya did so well to knock out the new zealanders =)
well play to Hong Kong as well, as they beat portugal and tonga.
By adrian, at March 30, 2009 4:15 pm
I nearly always root for the underdog in 7s, so it's great to see historic underdogs like Kenya, Wales, Portugal, and USA do well.
However, it's just as important for 7s to have Fiji back on track and playing well.
First, it makes the underdog successes that much more meaningful.
Second, a strong Fiji in 7s is very important to the Olympic bid.
One of the big arguments for rugby 7s is that it may give underrepresented Olympic countries a shot at a medal. The Pacific Islands are that argument's best example.
Fiji & Samoa have never medaled.
Tonga has one silver.
Cook Islands has never medaled either (although not a likely rugby 7s medalist)
By cheyanqui, at March 30, 2009 4:25 pm
BOOOOOOOOO
By doos, at March 30, 2009 9:17 pm
Where is William Ryder, lights up any match he is in!!
Frannie Steyn wudda got it :P
By okgo, at March 30, 2009 9:31 pm
Maybe the Cooks could manage an Olympic plate of some hue.
By Anarchangel, at March 30, 2009 10:38 pm
bokkkk says "SA clearly the best country in world rugby at the moment."
huh? they lost this game, they are #2 in the IRB test rankings, they finished bottom of the last Tri-Nations, they have only 3 of the current top ten S14 teams and boast the two bottom sides.
Getting a bit carried away there bokkkk.
By realitycheck, at March 31, 2009 4:38 am
Some pretty weak looking calls against Fiji. Glad to not see it cost them this one. USA on the rise!! In sevens anyway.
By Boz, at March 31, 2009 5:46 am
Malo Fiti!!! Good job fiji!
By islandstylin, at March 31, 2009 10:49 pm
William Ryders Been Axed From The Sevens Side Due To A Statement He Made In Fiji If I Heard Correctly
By Anonymous, at April 01, 2009 12:16 am
agree with boz
b.s. calls esspecially the last call in the final 30 secs of the game.. i have a feeling the irb doesn't want the island nations to win.. watch the semis against england.. couple of shady calls.. and the semi match between samoa and england in dubai.. shoot i could go on and on
By Anonymous, at April 02, 2009 2:54 am
REALY AN AWESOME MATCH...FIJI BEATG SA......N YA WHER TH HECK Z RIDER....SMBODY HOLLA ABT HIM PLIZZZZZ
By suzy, at April 12, 2009 7:26 am
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