Crucial mistakes cost Fiji 7s

The Digicel Fiji 7s team failed to produce the results in the Hong Kong 7s last night after losing to New Zealand 19-14 in the semifinal.

Coach Iliesa Tanivula's decision to gamble with the starting line-up from the side that beat South Africa 26-19 in the semi-final back fired on them.

Nikola Matawalu who played so well as an impact player, started on the wing with Joeli Lutumailagi being rested but it did not help Fiji as they had to play catch up rugby in the second half.

Tries from Dale Tonawai and David Batiratu saw Fiji needing a converted try to win the game but they gave it away in the last minute of play for New Zealand to book a spot in the final.

Fiji Rugby Union development manager, Sale Sorovaki said that while the defeat was hard for rugby fans and the coaching staff to swallow, we should remember that it is not the end of the world.

Sorovaki added that every team wants to win in any tournament and last night was one of the occasions that New Zealand had an edge against the Fiji team.