Fiji's Meli Derenalagi [Source: World Rugby]
The Fiji Airways men’s 7s side showed another classic performance in the Cup semifinal beating South Africa 29-7 in Hamilton.
Kalione Nasoko made an early break in the first minute of play and ran over the try line to give Fiji a 7-0 lead.
UNSTOPABLE!
Kalione Nasoko is a freakish mix of pace and power. What a score from @fijirugby‘s captain fantastic #NZSevens pic.twitter.com/G1JFcdTyMx
Article continues after advertisement— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 27, 2019
Former captain Jerry Tuwai created a gap for Fiji, allowing Aminiasi Tuimaba to score their second try of the match.
Pre Semi-Final Respect!
This is why we love this game #RugbySevens pic.twitter.com/130NP6u1G3
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 27, 2019
Kyle Brown was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle which gave Vilimoni Botitu a chance to extend Fiji’s lead 19-0 at the breather.
RE:LIVE: GET OFF MEEEE!
Aminiasi Tuimaba takes it down the sideline and bumps one off to score this absolute beauty and book @fijirugby‘s place in the Cup Final at the #NZSevens#DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/PLaLFFzRac
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 27, 2019
Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber reminded the players at half time to keep pressuring the Blitzboks.
“Now we keep the pressure. Squeeze them to get everything they can out of it. We going to win the ball after kick off and keep the ball and keep the pace up, go straight back and that’s what is killing them.”
Fij are out in force at the #NZSevens pic.twitter.com/v5rVDHoVYs
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 27, 2019
The Fijian side did not end there as they kept attacking and gave way for Waisea Nacuqu to add their fourth try.
Fiji put on a stunning defensive line which denied the Blitzboks any chance of scoring a try.
FT | ??29-7?? | @fijirugby are through to the Cup semifinals at the #NZSevens after a massive win over the @Blitzboks pic.twitter.com/IRBP0SWTB3
— HSBC NZ Sevens (@NZ_Sevens) January 27, 2019
Selvyn Davis then opened a try for South Africa later on but Fiji replied in the last minute from a try through Tuimaba making it his seventh in the tournament.
? After another round of games, @Aussie7s flyer Maurice Longbottom is our new leader at the top of the @DHLRugby performance tracker with an impressive 38 points. Can he hold on and take the #DHLImpactPlayer award for the #NZSevens?#DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/0O7DvVPRI4
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 27, 2019
Fiji will meet USA in the cup final at 7.10 tonight.
USA defeated New Zealand 17-7 in the second semifinal.
FT | ??7-17?? | Congratulations @USARugby for making it past the @AllBlacks7s and progressing to the Cup finalpic.twitter.com/u0eZwJwHDK
— HSBC NZ Sevens (@NZ_Sevens) January 27, 2019
MATCH | TIME | TEAM 1 | SCORE | TEAM 2 | STAGE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M25 | 9:00AM | Argentina | 35 - 0 | Japan | CTQF |
M26 | 9:22AM | Kenya | 19 - 12 | Tonga | CTQF |
M27 | 9:44AM | Spain | 19 - 10 | Wales | CTQF |
M28 | 10:06AM | England | 21 - 5 | France | CTQF |
M29 | 10:36AM | Fiji | 33 - 7 | Canada | Cup QF 1 |
M30 | 10:58AM | South Africa | 28 - 19 | Samoa | Cup QF 2 |
M31 | 11:20AM | New Zealand | 24 - 17 | Australia | Cup QF 3 |
M32 | 11:42AM | USA | 19 - 14 | Scotland | Cup QF 4 |
M33 | 12:10PM | Japan | 7 - 31 | Tonga | 13th Place SF |
M34 | 12:32PM | Wales | 19 - 35 | France | 13th Place SF |
M35 | 12:54PM | Argentina | 7 - 24 | Kenya | CTSF |
M36 | 13:16PM | Spain | 7 - 38 | England | CTSF |
M37 | 14:26PM | Canada | 19 - 28 | Samoa | 5th Place SF |
M38 | 14:48PM | Australia | 14 - 24 | Scotland | 5th Place SF |
M39 | 15:16PM | Fiji | VS | South Africa | Cup SF |
M40 | 15:38PM | New Zealand | VS | USA | Cup SF |
M41 | 16:00PM | Tonga | VS | France | 13th Place Final |
M42 | 17:00PM | Kenya | VS | England | CT Final |
M43 | 17:26PM | Samoa | VS | Scotland | 5th Place Playoff |
M44 | 18:10PM | Loser M39 | VS | Loser M40 | Bronze Final |
M45 | 19:10PM | Winner M39 | VS | Winner M40 | Cup Final |
Continue being awesome Hamilton!#NZSevens pic.twitter.com/ZUxas5xvEn
— HSBC NZ Sevens (@NZ_Sevens) January 27, 2019