Fiji Make It Five in Hong Kong

Fiji continues to reign in the Granddaddy of Rugby Sevens Tournaments as they won their successive Hong Kong Sevens Cup with a 21-7 win over France. Aminiasi Tuimaba won Player of the Final honors with a pair of tries while Vilimoni Botitu also crossed the line for the Fijians. For France, it was a second successive Cup Final, thought it ends in a second successive silver medal after knocking off New Zealand in the quarterfinals and Samoa in the semifinals.

The USA rebounded from a two-loss second day to defeat South Africa in the quarterfinals and eventually taking bronze over Samoa, 22-10, and maintain a seven-point lead in the Series Standings over Fiji. More importantly for the Eagles, is that they are 40 points clear of 5th-place England who finished joint-7th. The USA can clinch Olympic qualification if they finish two points ahead of England in Singapore next weekend. 

New Zealand are third on 118 points (12 behind the USA) and South Africa are fourth on 99 points. At the other end of the table, it appears to be a three-way battle to avoid relegation between Kenya, Japan, and Wales. Wales are currently in the danger zone in 15 place on 20 points after a 14th-place finish in Hong Kong. Japan jumped out of the drop zone by a point with a runners-up spot in the Challenge Cup to Scotland. Kenya are just three points clear of Wales after a joint 11th-place finish. 

Ireland gained core status for 2019-2020 on the men’s side with a 28-7 win over hosts Hong Kong. Ireland won a bronze medal in last year’s London Sevens. 

“We’re just delighted with this,” said captain Billy Dardis after the full-time whistle. “It’s been a long and hard road. I think that we all just stood on the pitch there and couldn’t move. We’re just speechless. It’s class! It won’t sink in for a couple of weeks.”

Brazil took honors in the women’s qualifiers with a 28-19 win over Scotland. Brazil scored 120 points in six matches during the tournament. They regain the core status they last held in 2016-17 and will return to a circuit that will feature eight tournaments next year. 

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the UL Mark of Excellence award to New Zealand’s Scott Curry marking solidarity with the All Black Sevens by a number of teams in response to the recent attacks in Christchurch.

Hong Kong Sevens Men’s Dream Team:

Tofatu Solia (SAM)

Tavite Veredamu (FRA)

Meli Derenalagi (FIJ)

Jerry Tuwai (FIJ)

Gabin Villiere (FRA)

Carlin Isles (USA)

Johnny Vaili (SAM)

Player of the Final:  Aminiasi Tuimaba (FIJ)

SINGAPORE SEVENS POOLS:

Pool A:  Fiji, South Africa, Scotland, Canada

Pool B:  France, Argentina, Australia, 16th team

Pool C:  USA, England, Kenya, Wales

Pool D:  Samoa, New Zealand, Japan, Spain

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