Sevens

Fiji to meet NZ in Cape Town 7s semifinal

December 15, 2019 11:31 pm

Waisea Nacuqu scored two tries for Fiji against Ireland in the quarterfinal at the Cape Town 7s [Source: World Rugby Sevens]

The Fiji 7s side will feature in the Cape Town 7s semifinal after a 31-12 win over Ireland in the quarterfinal.

Fiji will play in the second Cup semifinal against New Zealand at 2:01am tomorrow after the All Blacks 7s defeated Scotland 35-19.

The Irish were never intimidated by their more experienced opponent as they held on to the ball for the first two minutes but Fiji’s defence stood.

Both teams looked scrappy before a set-piece move from Ireland put speedster Jordan Conroy into space for a converted try.

Jerry Tuwai and Captain Paula Dranisinukula combined to set up a try for Napolinoni Bolaca with the scores locked at 7-all.

The national side put together a few phases before Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Bolaca worked together to put Aminiasi Tuimaba through for Fiji’s second try as they led 14-7 at half time.

During the half time break, Head Coach Gareth Baber reminded the players to hold to the ball in the second spell.

Terry Kennedy struck inside the first two minutes of the second half for Ireland as they trail 12-14 before Waisea Nacuqu pulled one back for Fiji after coming off the bench and the conversion was unsuccessful.

Ireland was hot on attack moments later but Jerry Tuwai made a crucial turnover which Fiji utilized and Nacuqu sprinted away for Fiji’s fourth try.

Fiji scored another try on the stroke of full time to Alasio Naduva to seal the win.

The first Cup semifinal between South Africa and France will be held at 1:39am.

Meanwhile, in other quarterfinals, South Africa defeated Kenya 17-5 after both teams were locked at 5-all at half time

France beat Argentina 19-10 in the second quarterfinal.

MATCHTIMETEAM 1SCORETEAM 2POOL
SATURDAY14 DECEMBER
M13:37AMAustralia21 - 26IrelandPool D
M23:59AMSamoa19 - 24KenyaPool D
M34:21AMFrance40 - 7SpainPool C
M44:43AMEngland24 - 26ScotlandPool C
M55:35AMArgentina33 - 21CanadaPool B
M66:05AMNew Zealand43 - 7WalesPool B
M76:35AMUSA14 - 28FijiPool A
M87:03AMSouth Africa47 - 0JapanPool A
M99:57PMAustralia7 - 12KenyaPool D
M1010:19PMSamoa14 - 28IrelandPool D
M1111:01PMFrance24 - 19ScotlandPool C
M1211:23PMEngland33 - 7SpainPool C
M1311:45PMArgentina45 - 0WalesPool B
SUNDAY15 DECEMBER
M1412:07AMNew Zealand33 - 5CanadaPool B
M1512:29AMUSA42 - 0JapanPool A
M1612:51AMSouth Africa26 - 14FijiPool A
M173:47AMIreland24 - 24KenyaPool D
M184:09AMSamoa14 - 24AustraliaPool D
M194:51AMSpain19 - 22ScotlandPool C
M205:13AMEngland12 - 33FrancePool C
M215:35AMCanada17 - 14WalesPool B
M226:05AMNew Zealand19- 14ArgentinaPool B
M236:35AMFiji54 - 7JapanPool A
M247:03AMSouth Africa21 -15USAPool A
M2510:18PMSouth Africa17 - 5KenyaCup Quarterfinal
M2610:40PMFrance19 - 10ArgentinaCup Quarterfinal
M2711:02PMIreland12 - 31FijiCup Quarterfinal
M2811:24PMNew Zealand35 - 19ScotlandCup Quarterfinal
MONDAY16 DECEMBER
M291:39AMSouth Africa21 - 14FranceCup Semifinal
M302:01AMFiji7 - 24New ZealandCup Semifinal
M312:48AMWales15 - 19Japan15th Place Play-off
M323:10AMSamoa38 - 7Spain13th Place Play-off
M333:32AMAustralia5 - 22Canada11th Place Play-off
M343:54AMUSA17 - 12England9th Place Play-off
M354:59AMFrance29 - 24FijiBronze Final
M365:56AMSouth Africa5 - 7New ZealandCup Final