Hamilton Sevens 2018: Fiji beat South Africa to win World Series tournament
FIJI pulled off a scintillating comeback to stun South Africa and win the Hamilton Sevens cup title, while James Stannard nailed a clutch drop goal penalty as Australia pipped New Zealand to finish third in the World Series tournament. Watch the highlights!
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FIJI pulled off a scintillating comeback to stun South Africa and win the Hamilton Sevens cup title, while James Stannard nailed a clutch drop goal penalty as Australia pipped New Zealand to finish third in the World Series tournament on Sunday.
The Flying Fijians were in deep trouble in the decider at FMG Stadium, trailing the world champions 17-5 at halftime after Josua Vakurunabili copped a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown.
But South Africa’s Branco du Preez also saw yellow in the second term as the Olympic gold medallists showcased their incredible skills to over-run the world champions 24-17.
Alasio Naduva scored a hat-trick for Fiji — the second try coming after a freakish over-the-head pass — and won the man of the match award.
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“I’m speechless,” said Fiji captain Jerry Tuwai.
“We had a young team and I’m really happy — it was a team effort.
“I told the boys this was the last game so just play as a team and give everything.”
Eroni Sau scored Fiji’s other try while Kwagga Smith, Kyle Brown and du Preez got on the scoresheet for the Blitzbokke.
South Africa still lead the World Series standings on 77 points ahead of New Zealand (69), with Fiji (62) improving to third ahead of fourth-placed Australia (60).
“All of our games over the last two days have been like that,” said Fiji coach Gareth Baber.
“We were down at halftime but with these Fijian boys, you are always close to getting a score somewhere as long as we can make some of those passes stick.
“I was proud of the way we defended and went about our business and we deserved that at the end.”
The Aussies were soundly beaten 24-5 by South Africa in the cup semis but bounced back to pip hosts New Zealand 8-7 in the playoff for third.
Australia veteran Stannard slotted a rare drop goal penalty in the final play of the game after Scott Curry and John Porch had traded tries in a brutal contest.
The next tournament is in Las Vegas on March 2.
Australia has been drawn against Samoa, USA and Spain in pool play.
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Originally published as Hamilton Sevens 2018: Fiji beat South Africa to win World Series tournament
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