Two-horse race to decide World Series
FIJI and South Africa will determine their own fates today as both nations strive to be crowned the World Rugby Sevens champions in the series finale in Paris.
Leaders Fiji stand on 167 points, seven ahead of reigning champions South Africa, and are bidding for a fifth-straight Cup win of 2018. Should the Blitzboks hold their nerve to win the gold medal, Fiji will need to beat England in the quarter-finals to ensure the minimum points required to earn their first series title since 2016.
It was a good start for Gareth Baber’s side in Pool A as a late double by the elusive Jasa Veremalua extended their lead over Samoa to 35-12.
Fearing New Zealand could lay a trap in front of their title ambitions, Fiji were then rocked by Kenya in their next match, losing 19-22. Resurgent once again after fading from the force they once were, Kenya scored three first-half tries to hold a 15-7 at the break. Erick Ombasa then scored his team’s fourth try to put the match beyond the inevitable Fijian fightback that came late on.
Jerry Tuwai and Co were at their gallant best to down Pool A rivals New Zealand 26-17, with Kalione Nasoko providing the finishing touch by scoring tries in each pool match to clinch top spot.
England face Fiji as a result of throwing away a 14-point lead in the dying minutes against bogey team USA.
Simor Amor’s side are hoping to leapfrog their cross-Atlantic rivals into fifth in the series standings, but a 21-21 draw leaves England fighting to bridge the two-point gap.
Defeating hosts France 28-21 and fellow Pool D side Argentina 28-19 got England’s shot at redemption off to the perfect start, having been downed by newcomers Ireland at HQ last weekend.
But with a last-ditch try from USA captain Madison Hughes converted, a race against the clock came down to a matter of seconds as Hughes was at the centre of a dramatic comeback. Winning a penalty from the restart that saw England reduced to six players, Kevon Williams broke free to score under the posts to afford Hughes an easy conversion attempt.
South Africa kept fans’ dreams of a close finish to the campaign alive by topping their pool, despite an early scare from Scotland.
Robbie Fergusson would prove the match-winner with two successful conversions to complement a try, as Justin Geduld couldn’t match him for accuracy by missing a costly two points after Seabelo Senatla had dotted down.
The Blitzboks rebounded with usual suspects Senatla and Werner Kok making an impact in a 21-19 victory over Russia and 28-0 trouncing of Canada to round off the pool stage.
It is Canada who will join Neil Powell’s side in the Cup quarters where they will face Pool C winners Ireland.
Fresh from a bronzemedal winning performance in London, the men in green continue to go from strength-tostrength with a landmark 24-14 win over Australia. Beating Fiji or South Africa may prove a longer wait.