Fijivillage
15 February, 2026, 1:48 pm
Central - 31°C Rain
15 February, 2026, 1:48 pm Central - 31°C Rain

Indiscipline cost Fiji Men’s 7s a place in the LA 7s semi final after losing 21-19 to Spain

Indiscipline cost Fiji Men’s 7s a place in the LA 7s semi final after losing 21-19 to Spain

By Mosese Raqio
03/03/2024
Spain’s Jaime Manteca cuts through the Fijian defense. [Photo credit: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby]

Indiscipline proved too costly for the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side as they gave up a 19-0 lead to lose 21-19 to Spain in their quarter final clash at the Los Angeles 7s this afternoon.

A red card to Terio Veilawa and a yellow card to Pilipo Bukayaro in the final 3 minutes of the match was capitalised by Spain as they scored a penalty try and two converted tries for the win.

Fiji took a comfortable 19-0 lead at the break through two converted tries by Ponipate Loganimasi and Bukayaro and an unconverted try by Ropate Rere.

Spain came back firing in the last three minutes of the match after referee Francisco Gonzalez flashed a yellow card to Terio Veilawa but was later upgraded to a red card after a review of the tackle by the TMO.

Bukayaro was yellow carded a few seconds later after a high tackle on a Spain player preventing him from scoring a try, but was awarded a penalty try.

Juan Ramos scored two more converted tries to steal the win.

The win has also gone down in the books of history for the Spanish side as they have qualified for the cup semi final for the first time ever in the HSBC SVNS World Series.

In other quarter finals, France beat the USA 14-0 and Ireland beat table leaders Argentina 24-14.


Match Updates:

0' Fiji kicks off this third cup quarter final match up. FIJ 0-0 ESP

1' Fiji's Ponipate Loganimasi scores their first try under the post. Conversion successful. FIJ7-0 ESP

2' Fiji scored their second converted try through Pilipo Bukayaro straight from the restart. FIJ 14-0 ESP

4' Fiji knocks the ball over inside their own half. Scrum to Spain.  FIJ 14-0 ESP

5' Fiji penalised again inside their own half. Spain opts for scrum.  FIJ 14-0 ESP

6' Spain loses ball forward after great defence from Fiji. Scrum to Fiji inside their own 22 metre line.  FIJ 14-0 ESP

7' Ropate Rere scores Fiji's third try after a great breakaway from Fiji inside their own half. Conversion missed. FIJ 19-0 ESP

Halftime: Fiji 19-0 Spain

7' Spain kicks off second half.  FIJ 19-0 ESP

8' Fiji knocks the ball on inside Spain's territory. Scrum to Spain. FIJ 19-0 ESP

10' Another knock on by Fiji inside their 22 metre line. Scrum to Spain. FIJ 19-0 ESP

11' Fiji's Terio Veilawa red-carded for a dangerous tackle. Penalty to Spain inside Fiji's 22 metre line.

11' Spain opts for a scrum. FIJ 19-0 ESP

11' Fiji reduced to 5 men after Pilipo Bukayaro was yellow carded as well. Spain awarded a penalty try. FIJ 19-7 ESP

12' Spain scores their second try. Conversion successful. FIJ 19-14 ESP

13' Spain scores their third try and Juan Ramos' second try. Conversion successful. Spain now leads. FIJ 19-21 ESP

14' Scrum awarded too Fiji inside their own half. FIJ 19-21 ESP

15' Spain loses the ball in the ruck. Referee blows the final whistle. Fulltime: FIJ 19-21 ESP

FEATURE NEWS
Stopped from sitting Year 13 Exam over $190, Reapi refused to give up
For 27-year-old Reapi Tabuaniviti, the day she was stopped from sitting her Year 13 exams over unpaid school fees is a memory she will never forget - ...
42 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Lack of opportunity, not will driving poverty – Reverend Nakeke
Fiji possesses two invaluable resources: its people and its land, despite this, poverty persists, one of the greatest hurdles is not a lack of will, ...
47 minutes ago

Address youth drug use during Maha Shivratri - Singh
With Hindus around Fiji celebrating the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri today, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, ...
2 hours ago

Suva City Council partners with PRF for 2026 Global Recycling Day
Fiji’s fight against waste management challenges has gained momentum after the Suva City Council joined the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) as a ...
2 hours ago

60 jobs created with opening of new Vinod Patel store in Labasa
A total of 60 jobs have been created in the North with the opening of a new double-storey Vinod Patel hardware store in Labasa.Vinod ...
3 hours ago

Rural schools in Naitasiri and Rewa to receive modern classrooms under Japan grant
Students of Lomaivuna High School in Naitasiri and Ratu Sauvoli Memorial Primary School in Rewa are set to benefit from modern, safe and resilient ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
9 days ago

Malimali and others filed for judicial review into COI
The application for leave for the judicial review has been made by former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, former Attorney General Graham Leung ...
9 days ago

Malimali’s legal battle against President, PM and AG
Another legal battle starts today as sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali takes her matter to court against the President, Prime Minister and ...
10 days ago

TOP