Her four-try historic feat in the Fijiana 41-5 victory over Brazil in the pool game catapulted rookie Reapi Uluinasau to the top of the Tokyo Olympic Women 7s try-scorers leaderboard heading into the final day of competition at the Tokyo Stadium today.
Uluinasau who caught the eye while playing for Nadroga in the Skipper Cup shares the lead with Black Ferns’ Michaela Blyde, six tries apiece.
Her two other tries came from the Fijiana’s 26-12 win over Canada, the first of which, scored in the 51st second from kick-off, World Rugby dubbed as the fastest try to be scored at the Olympics. Her four-try feat against Brazil was also a first for the Olympics – she became the first player to score four tries in a rugby 7s match at the Olympic Games.
Interestingly, Uluinasau was not the first choice halfback for the Olympics, but she became it after Tokasa Seniyasi and Reijeli Uluinayau were ruled out due to injuries, and she rose to the occasion.
Uluinasau was also among the standout players at the PacificAus Oceania Sevens competition in Townsville earlier this month where she scored a try in the Fijiana’s 19-12 upset win over Australia.
She will also be one of the key players when the Fijiana size up against the Black Ferns in their semi-final at 2pm today (Fiji Time).
Photo: FASANOC/Fiji Rugby
