The Fiji 7s teams made it a double at the French leg of the 2021/22 World Rugby 7s Series in Toulouse this morning, with the women finishing third to win the bronze medal while the men’s scooped gold.
The Fiji teams were too strong for their Irish counterparts in their respective games. The Fijiana accounted for Ireland 26-10 in the women’s bronze medal match whilst the Fiji men defeated Ireland 29-17 to win the Toulouse 7s’ title.
In finishing third, the Fijiana also finished third overall on the 2021/22 Women’s 7s Series, a first for the national women’s side. Their best placed finish before this series outing was finishing fourth back in 2017.
For the men’s the Tolouse 7s win is their second tournament win this season as they sit fifth on the men’s standings heading into the penultimate round in London before the finale in Los Angeles on 27-28 August.
Meanwhile, New Zealand won the women’s final after edging series winners Australia 21-14.
Women’s bronze medal match: Try double from Alowesi Nakoci sees Fiji take third (Match Report courtesy of World Rugby)
Fiji were too strong for Ireland in the women’s bronze medal match.
They came out on top 26-10, Raijieli Daveua, Alowesi Nakoci (2) and Sesenieli Donu the victor’s try scorers, Lavenia Cavuru (2) and Viniana Riwai adding conversions.
Vicki Elmes Kinlan and Stacey Flood scored unconverted tries for Ireland who can be proud of how they have done in 2022.
Men’s Cup final: Five star Fiji score lift title (Match Report courtesy of World Rugby)
Fiji got off to a flying start in the men’s Cup final when they scored a try after 40 seconds via Tevita Dagunu. Napolioni Bolaca converted to put Fiji 7-0 ahead.
Ireland showed great character and levelled the score at 7-7 when Terry Kennedy set-up Jordan Conroy for a try and Mark Roche converted.
Kennedy then showed excellent awareness to score his side’s second try and, although it was not converted, they were up 12-7.
However, Bolaca’s try, converted by Waisea Nacuqu, made it 14-12 to Fiji at half-time.
Two minutes into the second half Josua Vakurunabili scored Fiji’s third try and when Elia Canakaivata added their fourth they were 24-12 up with four minutes left.
Kaminieli Rasaku’s try made it a 17 point lead before a late Conroy try for Ireland finished things off 29-17.
Photo: Fiji Rugby
