7s Team Fails To Settle

The Digicel Fiji 7s team failed to settle in their opening match of the New Zealand International 7s tournament going down to USA by 15 points to 10.

USA led 10-5 at the break with two tries while Fiji's Peni Rokodiva scored the only try in the first spell. Rokodiva again scored in the second spell ut it was not enough as USA scored in the last minute to seal the victory.

It also went wrong in the second spell when Seremaia Burotu was sin-binned in the second spell for a high tackle as Fiji played the last two minutes with 6 players.

It was evident that the new players in the team felt the pressure and made mistakes by doing long passes that went against them. Fiji also had their chances but lacked of concentration cost them the match.

It's not the first time USA has beaten us, as they also won at the same venue in 2001.

Fiji will now have to beat Cook Islands and Samoa in their remaining pool games at any cost to reach the Cup quarterfinals.

Fiji's match against Cooks will be at 3:40pm before playing Samoa in their final pool encounter at 8:12pm.

Meanwhile, in the opening match at the Westpac Stadium, England with Fijian Isoa Damudamu beat France 26 points to 10 while Canada caused an upset by holding Argentina side to a 17-all draw.

Barring any upset in the Pool Games, Fiji is expected to face Argentina in the Cup quarterfinals. If they finish as runner up in their pool then they could face England in the last eight.