Fiji Claim the HK Sevens’ Prize for the Second Year Running

Fiji has done it again. Following last year’s historical victory, they came from behind to win this year’s Hong Kong Sevens in dramatic fashion.

In front of a packed Hong Kong Stadium, Fiji carried away the winner’s prize and trophy for the 14th time at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday March 24.

The first nation to win two tournaments in the current 2012-13 series, the win raised Fiji to second place in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings. But New Zealand, although dropping out to Fiji in the Semi-finals, extended their lead at the top of the table.

Fiji cruised past Hong Kong (36-0), Spain (22-12) and Canada (26-5) to top Pool C, then went on to beat Australia 29-5 in the Quarter Finals and New Zealand 33-13 in the Semi-finals to move them into the Final.

Wales also topped their Pool (A), beating Australia (19-14) and Argentina (19-14), but losing to South Africa (31-0). In the knock-out stage, Wales had good wins over Canada (28-14) and Kenya (19-0) in the Semi-final.

One might have thought a Wales Final against Fiji—the Cup Final debutants against the mighty specialists of the Hong Kong Sevens—would be a bit one-sided. However, Wales proved worthy opponents and gave Fiji a shock by racking up 19 points in the first half without Fiji scoring a point.

But, in a game of two-halves, Fiji turned on the charm in the second half with four tries to take the title 26-19. Heartbreak for Wales, but great joy to the many Fijian supporters.

Setaita, a Fijian supporter jubilant at the end of the Final, explained her feelings to The Epoch Times.

“It has just been brilliant and we need this, we really need this,” Setaita said.

“We Fijians love coming to Hong Kong, it is the home of Sevens and we have fond memories of this place.”

After being down 19-0 to Wales at half time “we thought we have done it before, we can do it again,” she added—and they did it at the Fijian supporters end.

Fiji’s pathway to the Final included convincing triumphs and a defeat of series’ leaders New Zealand. They fully deserved their success, despite meeting an inexperienced Welsh Dragons, who were in their first-ever Cup Final.

New Zealand had earlier scored a “last play” success against Samoa in the Cup Quarter Final by an “after the hooter” goal to win 21-points to 14 to give them their Semi-final berth against Fiji.

The Semi-final between Fiji and New Zealand was like a Final itself, with intense play by both teams fully aware of the importance of the match. But Fiji showed their class and came away 33-14 winners.

Fiji took away the US$150,000 (HK$1.164 million) winner’s prize and moved up the standings table to second place, jumping over Samoa and South Africa in the process; however, New Zealand extended their lead by a further 2 points to 25. With their outstanding play, Wales have moved from eighth to sixth place.

Hong Kong put up an excellent performance and did well to reach the Bowl Semi-final and take seven points from their first Top-16 main draw.

Induction to the IRB Hall of Fame

Earlier in the finals afternoon of the 3-day Hong Kong Sevens, Fiji Sevens legend, Waisale Serevi, “The King of Sevens”, was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. He was delighted with the award and proudly showed it off to the many Fijian fans.

Series Standings after Hong Kong

1. New Zealand (113), 2. Fiji (88), 3. Samoa (84), 4. South Africa (78), 5. Kenya (72), 6. Wales (63), 7. France (62), 8. Argentina (55), 9. Canada (51), 10. England (50), 11 Australia (45), Scotland (34), Portugal (33), Spain (24), Hong Kong (7), Tonga (3), Uraguay (2), Zimbabwe (2), Russia (1).

This weekend the HSBC SWS moves to Japan for the seventh leg in the nine tournament series, the Tokyo 7’s March 30-31.

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