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 TEIVOVO.COM – INTERNATIONAL 7s
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Monday 12 February 2007
Fiji win San Diego 7s
An outstanding display from the Digicel Fiji 7s team saw them avenge last week's loss by defeating Samoa 38-24 in the final of the San Diego 7s to draw level with New Zealand at the top of the IRB table.
This was far from an easy tournament for the Fijians as they needed extra-time to get past South Africa in the quarters with a man down. Against New Zealand in the semis, Fiji controlled the game well, as they did in the final over Pacific neighbours Samoa.
Using the same starting line-up from the semis, Fiji opted not to take the Samoans on too much in the middle and spread the ball well – learning their lesson from last week's Wellington final.
William Ryder scored the first try before Uale Mai levelled the scores at 7-7.
Fiji wing Nasoni Roko then put Fiji ahead again with the second try. Captain Semisi Naevo made a break, sucked in the defence before off-loading to Roko outside him who was in the clear.
Ryder scored his second and Naba added another five-pointer to give Fiji a commanding lead 26-7 at half-time.
After the break, Samoa fought back to dominate territory, and briefly threatened to make a game of it. But Fiji stayed calm and picked up a couple more tries to Naevo and Lepani Nabuliwaqa, who had been suspended for the semi-finals.
Simi Saravanua was also missing from the quarters after receiving a two-week ban following an incident against South Africa.
Samoa scored their second after slipping through Roko. A minute after that, Roko ran a few yards before kicking the ball forward for Nabuliwaqa to touch down.
Referee Matt Stanish then awarded a penalty try to the Samoans for a deliberate knock-on.
Naevo sealed it for Fiji after running from halfway, holding the ball in one hand and pulling up his shorts with the other.
This glorious victory made up for the disappointment in Wellington, and Waisale Serevi now needs to hang onto the bulk of his squad to finish off the job and retain the IRB World 7s Series.
In the semi-finals, Fiji scored three tries against New Zealand, two from Mosese Volavola and one from Roko.
Fiji got lucky in the quarter-finals against South Africa after trailling 14-0 at the breather. Volavola, scored the winning try in sudden-death extra-time despite a probable knock-on earlier in the play.
Saravanua gifted a try to South Africa when he passed backwards to no-one in particular and Gcobani Bobo picked up the loose ball to score. Then Ryno Benjamin slipped through Serevi's tackle to put them ahead with another converted try.
At the break, Nabuliwaqa got his yellow card. Playing with six men, Serevi got a quick pass from Etonia Naba to put Fiji on the scoreboard.
Moments later from a scrum, Serevi tried to pass to Ryder, who kicked the loose ball ahead with no one home for South Africa. He scored and converted the try to equalise the points at 14-14.
Ryder scored another before Nabuliwaqa was red carded after a word from the touch judge.
At full-time, the score was 21-21. In extra time, Ryder made the break, passed to Roko who was in support before the mighty Moji Volavola finished off in gallant fashion.
Whilst this was a great team effort, another player that proved outstanding for Fiji was Naba, who tackled, tackled, and tackled, and forced some important turnovers.
Ryder will often get the credit, and rightly so, but Naevo did exceptionally well at the re-starts and Volavola showed excellent commitment from start to finish. Nasoni Roko also looks to be back to his best.
South Africa take Plate title
The Boks of South Africa had to come from behind in the penultimate match at PETCO Park but did so to beat Scotland 28-19 and take the Plate trophy. In doing so they also take eight valuable points for the IRB 7s World Series to lie four points behind leaders New Zealand and Fiji.
Bobo gave Paul Treu's side an early lead in the final but Scotland hit back through Mike Adamson and then Mark Robertson, following good work from wing Thom Evans, to lead 14-17 at the break.
South Africa dominated the second half with three tries from Mpho Mbiyozo, Howard Noble and captain Jonathan Mokuena to Scotland's one, scored by Lee Kibble, although Scottish coach Stephen Gemmell will be heartened by his side's considerable improvement since the start of the season.
France earlier made a first semi final of the season after a dramatic late try by Farid Sid saw off Australia. Fiji beat New Zealand for the second consecutive week to reach the finale.
Bowl success for Tonga
On the same weekend that their senior XV a side team qualified for the Rugby World Cup in France this year the Tongan Sevens team beat Argentina 22-17 to take the Bowl title in San Diego and two points for the 2006/07 Series.
Argentina went up through Alfredo Lalanne but Tonga hit back with two tries from Siale Lolohea. The islanders then built on their half time lead with a score from Sione Langatau only for Argentina to storm back to parity with tries by Lalanne and Amelong to take the game into extra time. Tomasi Funaki went over for the sudden death try.
Dana Teagarden took charge of the match becoming the first woman to referee a senior men's competition final.
USA win Shield
Home favourites the USA fought off the challenge of series core side Portugal to build on a 14-5 half time lead and run out 26-5 winners. The Eagles went ahead through forward Todd Clever, Pedro Leal pulled one back for Tomaz Morais' side before Takudzwa Ngwenya scorched home for the 14-5 lead at the break. The second half saw Al Caravelli's side maintain their stranglehold and delight the crowd with further tries for Naqica and Osborne to hammer home their authority.
Earlier the USA overcame the West indies 17-0 to reach the final, while Portugal were too strong for Chile and ran out 42-10 winners, the impressive Pedro Leal grabbing a hat trick.
Digicel Fiji 7s squad for San Diego:
Emosi Vucago (Nadroga), Etonia Naba (Nadroga), Lepani Nabuliwaqa (Suva), Mesake Davu (Nadroga), Mosese Volavola (Nadroga), Nasoni Roko (Naitasiri), Semisi Naevo (NEC, Japan), Setefano Cakau (Namosi), Simeli Koniferedi (Nadroga), Simione Saravanua (NZ), Waisale Serevi (Suva), William Ryder (Bua)
* Naevo sustained a rib injury. Serevi Serevi flew over to replace him at the San Diego 7s but Naevo recovered in time.
San Diego 7s
Day 2 Results
CUP
Quarter-finals
Fiji 26 South Africa 21, New Zealand 19 England 7, Australia 7 France 10, Samoa 34 Scotland 0
Semi finals
Fiji 19 New Zealand 10, France 0 Samoa 38
Final
Fiji 38 Samoa24
PLATE
Semi final
South Africa 21 England 14, Australia 7 Scotland 17
Final
South Africa 28 Scotland 19
BOWL
Quarter-finals
Argentina 17 Portugal 10, Chile 12 Kenya 31, Canada 14 USA 7, Tonga 22 West Indies 5
Semi-finals
Argentina 22 Kenya 5, Canada, 10 Tonga 24
Final
Argentina 17 Tonga 22
SHIELD
Semi finals
Portugal 42 Chile 10, USA 17 West Indies 0
Final
Portugal 5 USA 26
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