Sevens

Fiji to face England in Sydney 7s semi-final

February 2, 2020 3:58 pm

Aminiasi Tuimaba on attack for Fiji at the Sydney 7s [Source: World Rugby Sevens]

The Fiji Airways national men’s team is now two games away from winning its first title this season.

This after thrashing Wales 55-0 at the Sydney 7s and qualifying for the semi-final.

Fiji will meet England in the second semi-final at 5:42pm today.

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Waisea Nacuqu scored straight after the kickoff with a brilliant individual try to give Fiji a 7-0 lead.

Fiji increased their lead through Aminiasi Tuimaba for a 14-0 scoreline.

Tuimaba scored his second in the corner to give Fiji a comfortable 19-0 lead.

Fiji captain Meli Derenalagi scored under the posts after a brilliant play from Tuimaba to give Fiji a 26-0 lead as Tuwai scored the final try before the breather for a 31-0 scoreline.

Fiji kicked off the second half from where they left in the first half as Napolioni Ratu scored just after 40 seconds to give Fiji a 38-0 lead.

Asaeli Tuivoka came in the second half and made his presence felt after he scored a try in the corner to take the scores to 43-0 before Alasio Naduva made it 50-0 and Livai Ikanikoda scored the final try of the match to take the final scores to 55-0.

Fiji Co-Captain Meli Derenalagi says this type of play was something that they had already planned.

“Yeah, first of all, we were preparing for these two tournaments but I thank the boys for their mindset. Putting it on to the game where we left off from last week but we came out here hardly to make the win.

The fan support has been huge and has had a very positive impact on the boys’ performance.

Derenalagi has also praised the teamwork.

“It’s just like I have said before, it’s how we know each other it’s like a brotherhood bond where we know what our teammate play like and how he does on the field so it’s like a feel-good for us.” 

Meanwhile, England defeated Canada 26-14 to top Pool D and secure a semi-final spot.

In the first semifinal, South Africa will take on USA at 5:20pm.

South Africa was the first team to qualify for the semifinals after they won both their pool matches on Day one.

Blitzboks defeated Samoa 36-0 in their final pool match to top Pool B.

USA thumped hosts Australia 43-7 to book a semifinal spot as winners from Pool C.

The final will take place at 9:56 tonight.

You can watch the Sydney 7s live on FBC TV.

MATCHTIMETEAM 1SCORETEAM 2POOL
SATURDAY1ST FEB 2020
M112:57PMUSA 32 - 14ScotlandPool C
M201:19PMAustralia33 - 7JapanPool C
M301:41PMArgentina14 - 52South AfricaPool B
M402:03PMFrance24 - 17SamoaPool B
M502:25PMCanada28 - 19IrelandPool D
M602:47PMEngland47 - 0SpainPool D
M803:09PMFiji28 - 14KenyaPool A
M803:31PMNew Zealand54 - 5WalesPool A
M906:24PMUSA45 - 7JapanPool C
M1006:46PMAustralia31 - 14ScotlandPool C
M1107:08PMArgentina28 - 21SamoaPool B
M1207:30PMFrance12 - 24South AfricaPool B
M1308:05PMCanada12 - 28SpainPool D
M1408:35PMEngland19 - 12IrelandPool D
M1509:05PMKenya 21 - 26WalesPool A
M1609:33PMFiji 26 -5New ZealandPool A
SUNDAY2ND FEB 2020
M1712:07PMScotland21- 21JapanPool C
M1812:29PMAustralia7 - 43USAPool C
M1912:51PMSouth Africa36 - 0SamoaPool B
M2001:13PMFrance5 - 17ArgentinaPool B
M2101:35PMIreland26 - 10SpainPool D
M2201:57PMEngland26 -14CanadaPool D
M2302:19PMFiji55 - 0WalesPool A
M2402:41PMNew Zealand19 - 5KenyaPool A
Knockout Stages
M2505:20PMSouth Africa19 - 12USACup Semifinal
M2605:42PMFiji17 - 14EnglandCup Semifinal
M2706:10PMKenya12 - 19Samoa15th Place Playoff
M2806:32PMSpain14 - 7Japan13th Place Playoff
M2906:54PMWales5 - 21Scotland11th Place Playoff
M3006:54PMFrance7 - 0Canada9th Place Playoff
M3107:38PMArgentina12 - 21Ireland7th Place Playoff
M3208:00PMNew Zealand24 - 7Australia5th Place Playoff
M3308:59PMUSA17 - 10England3rd Place Playoff
M3409:56PMSouth Africa10 - 12FijiCup Final