OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS FIJI turned on a dazzling display to win the Rugby World Cup Sevens after emphatic victories against Australia and New Zealand at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.
Fiji overwhelmed Australia 38-14 in the semi-finals before romping to a 29-12 win over New Zealand in the final.
It was Fiji’s third world title, but their first since 2005, while New Zealand had won the previous two editions in 2013 and 2018.
Fiji scored five tries against the All Blacks, whose defence had only been breached twice in their first three matches.
Fiji made a sensational start, scoring two tries in the first two minutes through Joseva Talacola and Kaminieli Rasaku.
Flying finish for @fijirugby! ✈️
— Rugby World Cup 7s 2022 (@WorldRugby7s) September 11, 2022
Scenes were made in Cape Town thanks to Fellipe Sauturaga!#HereToSevens | #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/Zy3nG8FYiA
Moses Leo hit back for New Zealand but Elia Canakaivata and Filipe Sauturaga crossed the All Blacks line again to give Fiji a 24-5 half-time lead.
Two yellow cards early in the second half threatened to undermine Fiji, but New Zealand’s Akuila Rokolisoa was also sent to the sin bin soon after he narrowed the deficit with a try.
Pilipo Bukayaro sealed victory for the Fijians in the last minute.
“This is huge for Fiji,” coach Ben Gollings told SuperSport TV. “The boys have been fantastic. We can score tries but we also have to stop them and it was a huge defensive performance.”
Strong-running Maddison Levi scored a hat-trick of tries as Australia denied New Zealand a third successive women’s title. Australia won 24-22 after both teams scored four tries.
She is just too strong! 💪
— Rugby World Cup 7s 2022 (@WorldRugby7s) September 11, 2022
Faith Nathan reaps the rewards for @Aussie7s as New Zealand just can't bring down Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea 🇦🇺#RWC7s | #HereToSevens pic.twitter.com/Z5vM6vr3x0
Faith Nathan scored Australia’s fourth try while Kelly Brazier, Stacey Fluhler, Shiray Kaka and Alena Saili crossed for New Zealand.
New Zealand trailed by 14 points with two minutes to play but hit back with two tries, the last by Saili almost two minutes after the final hooter.
Tenika Willison narrowly missed a conversion attempt which would have taken the match to extra time.
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