Sydney 7s: Fiji, New Zealand take Cup finals

Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 11:14 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Fiji have claimed their first-ever Sydney 7s crown by beating South Africa in the final.

Fiji's have found their way back to the top of the tournament podium in Sydney, while New Zealand's women have continued their 2019-20 golden run.

The Fijians were back to some of their best rugby this weekend, toppling Hamilton champions New Zealand in the pool stages on their way to securing their first title of the seaosn.

Two first half tries gave Fiji an early lead over South Africa before the Blitzboks mounted a late comeback.

Napolioni Baloca scored all of Fiji's points and it was his sole conversion that ultimately proved the difference in the tournament final.

Fiji's have found their way back to the top of the tournament podium in Sydney, while New Zealand's women have continued their 2019-20 golden run.

The Fijians were back to some of their best rugby this weekend, toppling Hamilton champions New Zealand in the pool stages on their way to securing their first title of the seaosn.

Two first half tries gave Fiji an early lead over South Africa before the Blitzboks mounted a late comeback.

Napolioni Baloca scored all of Fiji's points and it was his sole conversion that ultimately proved the difference in the tournament final.

New Zealand continued their dominant run of form in the women's competition, beating Canada 33-7 in the final.

The Kiwis had five individual try scorers in their thumping of the North Americans, with Tyla Nathan-Wong also incredibly accurate off he boot with four conversions.

Sunday night's victory continues a run of four straight tournament golds for New Zealand, stretching their lead on top of the World Seris standings to 16 points.

Canada have drawn level with Australia in second place while France sit in fourth at the midway point of the season.

The men next play in Los Angelese while the women will feature in the first men's and women's Hong Kong Sevens in April.

Australia's women finished with bronze while the men came sixth.

To see how the Australian men's day played out, click here

To see how the Aussie women's day unfolded, click here.

STANDINGS 

Men's World Series after Sydney

1. New Zealand - 76

2. South Africa - 67

3. France - 56

4. England - 54

5. Fiji - 53

6. USA  - 47

7. Australia - 47

8. Argentina - 45

9. Ireland - 33

10. Canada - 3

Women's World Series after Sydney

1. New Zealand - 96

2. Australia - 80

3. Canada - 80

4. France - 70

5. USA - 66

6. Russia  - 40

7. Fiji - 38

8. England - 36

9. Spain - 28

10. Ireland - 15

 

New Zealand continued their dominant run of form in the women's competition, beating Canada 33-7 in the final.

The Kiwis had five individual try scorers in their thumping of the North Americans, with Tyla Nathan-Wong also incredibly accurate off he boot with four conversions.

Sunday night's victory continues a run of four straight tournament golds for New Zealand, stretching their lead on top of the World Seris standings to 16 points.

Canada have drawn level with Australia in second place while France sit in fourth at the midway point of the season.

The men next play in Los Angelese while the women will feature in the first men's and women's Hong Kong Sevens in April.

Australia's women finished with bronze while the men came sixth.

To see how the Australian men's day played out, click here

To see how the Aussie women's day unfolded, click here.

STANDINGS 

Men's World Series after Sydney

1. New Zealand - 76

2. South Africa - 67

3. France - 56

4. England - 54

5. Fiji - 53

6. USA  - 47

7. Australia - 47

8. Argentina - 45

9. Ireland - 33

10. Canada - 3

Women's World Series after Sydney

1. New Zealand - 96

2. Australia - 80

3. Canada - 80

4. France - 70

5. USA - 66

6. Russia  - 40

7. Fiji - 38

8. England - 36

9. Spain - 28

10. Ireland - 15

 

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