Big Win On Day 1
The Vodafone Fijian 7s team started their Hong Kong Sevens campaign with a 36-0 win over Japan last night. They opened their account with a Seremaia Tuwai try which was not converted.
The Japanese applied pressure but the Vodafone Fijian defence held on. From a spilt ball, Vatemo Ravouvou pounced on it to score their second try as they led 12-0. Veteran winger Jiuta Lutumailagi scored right on halftime after collecting a Ravouvou crosskick.
With a 19-0 lead, veteran Isake Katonibau set-up Osea Kolinisau to score their fourth try early in the second spell to extend their lead to 24-0.
Then the Vodafone Fijians ran in tries to Apisai Domolailai and Tuwai to seal their win. Meanwhile, Domolailai injured his knee and limped off the field where he was taken for assessment. He could miss today’s clash against Wales at 5.12pm followed by New Zealand at 9.12pm as Pool play continues.
He would likely be replaced by Setareki Bituniyata.
As the seventh round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong kicked off lastnight, we picked out a few stars that could shine bright over the three days.
Joey Ravouvou (New Zealand)
A new face in New Zealand’s squad for Hong Kong, Ravouvou has been picked out of Auckland’s 15s team to play. At 105kg and 6ft 3in, Ravouvou will be a handful.
Jasa Veremalua (Fiji)
Returning after missing both Las Vegas and Vancouver, Veremalua has hands like frying pans and is one of the most agile players on the series. He scored one try in Hong Kong last year as Fiji beat Australia in the Cup semi-final 34-5.
Selvyn Davids (South Africa)
Making his debut, Davids comes from the 15s game where he plays for Northern Free State Griffons in the Currie Cup. He played for the South Africa Academy in Dubai last December and is an exciting prospect for head coach Neil Powell.
Matias Osadczuk (Argentina)
Osadczuk made his debut in the 2016/17 series back in Dubai and has scored 23 tries in six tournaments. A potential contender for Rookie of the Year if he continues his try-scoring in the final four matches.
Mike Te’o (USA)
Another returning face to the series, Te’o has been chosen by head coach Mike Friday for Hong Kong and will play in his first tournament since the 2013-14 series. Te’o has been plying his trade in 15s and recently won the Americas Rugby Championship with USA.
Dan Norton (England)
It was the Dan Norton show in Vancouver last month, with the speedster picking up the DHL Impact Player, HSBC Player of the Final and equalling the all-time try-scoring record. Norton is likely to break the record of 244, which he shares with Kenya’s Collins Injera, in Hong Kong so keep your eyes peeled.
Perry Baker (USA)
USA flyer Baker is still one of the most exciting players to watch on the series. Expect him to fly in Hong Kong.