SYDNEY SEVENS - Day 1 - Fiji's Three Pool Matches

Sydney 7s Day 1:

Game 1

Fiji v Samoa

Fiji flew out of the blocks with a dominant first half display - Jerry Tuwai scoring a double and helping Fiji to a 17 – 0 lead at the half.

Samoa looked outclassed and out of sorts against the giant Fijian team; Samoan poor ball handling and lack of fire power were the major factors.

Fiji started the second half the way the first half ended scoring right from the kick off by Alasai T in the right corner.

Samoa had no answer for the Fijian defence and will need to improve drastically to ensure they make the finals on Day 2.

Ben Ryan was pleased with the performance of the boys and hoped he would see consistency throughout the two-day tournament saying, “I was very pleased with the win. Going into the rest of the day we need to be very aware of the other teams in our pool to ensure consistency is shown leading into Day 2.”

Fiji 31 – Samoa 0

Game 2

Fiji v France

Fiji turned up the tempo in game 2 of the Sydney 7s as they took on France in scorching heat in front of a packed Allianz Stadium. Fijian mastermind, Jerry Tuwai, opened the scoring just after the kick off with brilliant offloads and tackle evasions in the lead up. Fiji have started each game so far by jumping out of the blocks and this was very evident as Jerry Tuwai added to his try tally with another two, and with hard man Savenaca Rawaca running 80m for his first of the game, Fiji took the lead to 21 – 0 after four minutes.

Fiji went on to score another 5 pointer with Captain Osea Kolinisau breaking away alongside Viliame Mata and then to Jerry Tuwai who capped off his fourth.

France showed little resilience as their defence was constantly breaking down and errors occurring every time they had possession. But to their consolation, they did manage to score a last minute try in the corner.

Final score 49-5.

Game 3

Fiji v Argentina

Fiji came out in their alternate black colours and looked intent on finishing the day with a strong performance against Argentina, however, it wasn’t to be.

The Pumas pushed the Fijian side from the kick off and it was evident that a scrappy affair was inevitable with the Fijians knocking on and then providing the Pumas with a penalty which saw them go for a set piece play from the line out. Fiji was pushed back to their line, but to their credit managed to force a turnover and from the resulting play Savenaca Rawaca ran 70meters after a perfect off-load from Semi Kunatani.

Fiji led 7 to nil with the conversion going through the sticks.

You may have thought the side was on the up, but Argentina brought more physicality to the game and caused Fiji to create several errors.

With the errors mounting against the Fijians, Argentina looked certain to score but a last pass saw Jerry Tuwai intercept 5 meters out from the defensive line. However he was called back due to Fiji being offside and then we lost Pio Tuwai to a yellow card for backchat to the referee.

With a high pressure error filled contest, at half time scores were even with Puma persistence paying off.

Argentina 7 – Fiji 7.

Fiji started the second half strongly with Kunatani scoring once more after a brilliant off load from Rawaca, and with that Fiji took back the lead, 12-7.

Argentina finally got their hands back on the ball, but was let down when a wayward pass found Rawaca going in for his second. Fiji 19 – Argentina 7

Argentina fought back, but with only 30 seconds on the clock a Fiji knock-on saw Argentina across in the corner. Fiji 19 – Argentina 12 with the final whistle blown.

Fiji have ended day one with 3 wins and top of the pool whilst Argentina will need to improve as they have a tough task of making the semis on Day 2.