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
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