Sevens

Fiji loses to NZ in Cape Town 7s Cup semifinal

December 16, 2019 2:29 am

Action from the Fiji vs NZ Cup semifinal clash at the Cape Town 7s [Source: World Rugby Sevens]

The Fiji 7s side will not defend their Cape Town 7s title after being outclassed by a smart New Zealand side 24-7 in the Cup semifinal.

Fiji copped two yellow cards to Meli Derenalagi and Paula Dranisinukula which means they now have 12 in 9 games.

Dranisinukula was sent off for a shoulder charge and the All Blacks 7s were awarded a penalty try as a result and the national skipper was also hurt in the process.

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Fiji played with five players for almost two minutes and Kurt Baker scored New Zealand’s second try as they led 14-0.

Reagan Ware made sure they hit the break with a comfortable lead when he dived over for their third try but a Sevuloni Mocenacagi break resulted in Vilimoni Botitu try which was converted by Napolioni Bolaca.

New Zealand led 19-7 at half time.

Andrew Knewstubb struck first for New Zealand in the second half as they extended their lead to 24-7.

Kurt Baker was later shown a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown and Fiji opted for a scrum but it didn’t work out.

Fiji failed to score while Baker was out for two minutes.

The national side tried too hard but was penalized at times for off-side.

Fiji will now play in the Bronze Final at 4:59am against France.

In another semifinal, South Africa managed to beat a fired-up French side 21-14 in a fast-paced game.

Marvin O’Connor silenced the home crowd with a converted try for France.

But Ruan Nel levelled the scores with a try which was converted before half time.

JC Pretorius made sure the local fans have something to cheer about after half time with a try following some casual play by France for a 14-7 lead.

France looked like the next team to score but Tavite Veredamu lost the ball forward which was later picked up by Rosko Specman who weaved his way through before passing to Siviwe Soyizwapi to finish things off for the Springboks 7s.

The French had the final say with a converted try to Jonathan Laugel but was not enough as the hosts book their spot in the final.


It will be a repeat of the Dubai 7s final when New Zealand face South Africa in the Cup final at 5:56am today.

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