Fiji 7s rugby skipper Setefano Cakau says the Hong Kong title won last night was for injured team mate Miteli Nacagilevu and the kids who will be celebrating Palm Sunday this week.
Fiji beat New Zealand 35-28 in a pulsating final and in the process bagged 22 World 7s Series points and $177,000 cash.
However, amidst all the celebrations, Cakau and his team mates didn’t forget Nacaigilevu, who was injured at the Marist 7s and been hospitalized since.
“I dedicated the trophy to Miti Nacagilevu and the patients around him. We know that injury comes with playing this game. And so we remembered him and to all the kids in Fiji , this victory was also for you.”
Cakau says the effort put in by the players was one of sheer brilliance and this was why they bagged the title.
“Its a hard game. They (New Zealand) wanted to win the game and I just thank the players for playing their hearts out. We knew that a victory was long overdue here and to win was great.”
The veteran didn’t forget to thank the fans and says the win was also special because of critics who bombared them after the dismal outing in Wellington and Las Vegas last month.
“I just want to thank the supporters. Eventhough we tend to cop criticism every now and then, all it does is to push us to win and do our best and I thank them. To everybody in Fiji, thank you for your support to us going into this tournament.”
The team flies off out of Hong Kong today for the Japan 7s.
