Flying Fiji notch up a sizzling win in Hamilton

Sun, Jan 27, 2019, 9:33 AM
AFP
by AFP
A huge Fijian fan base cheered home their team in Hamilton. Photo: AFP
A huge Fijian fan base cheered home their team in Hamilton. Photo: AFP

Fiji whipped the United States 38-0 in a six-try rout Sunday to take the New Zealand Sevens crown and draw level at the top of the world series rankings.

The winners walked away from Hamilton with back-to-back titles in both New Zealand and the world circuit, once again depriving the US of a tournament win despite making the finals of all three dates in the 2018-19 series so far.

Fiji were never seriously challenged from the time Jerry Tuwai opened the scoring from a lineout steal in the second minute.

Waisea Nacuqu and Aminiasi Tuimaba also scored in the first half for the defending New Zealand champions to lead 17-0 at the turn. 

Alosio Naduva notched two tries in the second half and Tuwai bagged his second while the US were left scoreless.


Fiji came through Sunday's knockout matches with a 31-7 win over Canada in the quarter-finals before beating South Africa 29-7 in the semis. 

The US team, which is shaping up as an emerging power in Sevens rugby, had a 19-14 win over Scotland in the quarters. 

Right in the feels. ❤️ #NZSevens

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They then came from behind to beat hosts New Zealand 17-7 on the back of a one-man advantage after Regan Ware was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle. 

Fiji and the US now lead the overall standings with 57 points -- one ahead of hosts New Zealand, who beat South Africa 29-7 in the bronze medal match.

 

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