Fiji’s victory over South Africa in the Cup quarter-final secured their second World Series title and first since 2006.
Two tries from Savenaca Rawaca and one from captain Osea Kolinisau were enough for Fiji to beat South Africa 19-7 in the Marriott London Sevens Cup quarter-finals and in doing so secure the 2014-15 HSBC Sevens World Series.
Chris Dry had brought the scores back to 12-7 with the Blitzboks’ only hope of winning a first Series since 2009 to defeat Fiji, but Rawaca’s fourth of the tournament secured the victory.
“I can’t really put them into words at the moment,” said coach Ben Ryan. “We were just focusing on the South Africa game. The boys were very overly emotional in the changing room and I had to control them a bit and remind them to start smiling and that this is supposed to be fun. We’ve won 29 out of our last 30 games so we are on a pretty hot streak and I’ve got a great team around me.”
WINNER WINNER: @fijirugby flyer Savenaca Rawaca scores the series-securing try v @Blitzboks at the #London7s https://t.co/oLZoON3itm
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 17, 2015
With their safe passage through to the semi-finals, Ryan’s side will lift their second World Series title at Twickenham, and their first since 2006. Not since 2010 has a side other than New Zealand lifted the coveted trophy.
“Thank you very much for supporting the team,” said captain Kolinisau. “To be only the second Fijian team to win the title is a great feeling.
“We are really thankful that we have finished the series, it has been a tough journey all along.”
And that’s the final whistle! @fijirugby are the HSBC Sevens World Series champions! Congratulations! #London7s pic.twitter.com/icWZQqw2T1
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 17, 2015
Having won four Cup titles in eight rounds, Fiji went on to lose to Australia 33-7 in the Cup semi-finals.
