Feature

Fiji 7s team wins first ever gold medal for Fiji

Fiji 7s team wins first ever gold medal for Fiji
The Fiji 7s team with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama after winning the gold medal. Photo: World Rugby)

Gold Fiji Gold.

Its Olympic Gold for Fiji as our national 7s heroes created history in the last hour as they won the first ever gold medal for Fiji.

It is also history in the making for the Pacific as Fiji is the first country in the Pacific islands to win gold.

Fijians everywhere in the world are now in celebration mode and it is expected to continue for days as many say that we truly deserve it after waiting for 60 years to win a medal for Fiji.

The Ben Ryan coached side has done this in style winning gold in a sport that Fijians love the most.

Ryan had said before the Medal Semi Final that we have got one aim and that’s to win the gold medal, not silver or bronze.

Ben Ryan talks to the media after Fiji's historic win (Photo: World Rugby)

Ryan said that sometimes it’s dangerous to set out goals as a coach, but Fiji is No 1 in the world, and Ryan said they are not trying to be arrogant - they are saying this is what we want.

The Fiji 7s team with their gold medals (Photo: pbs.twimg).

Ryan said “It’s not ‘little old Fiji.’

Fiji demolished Great Britain in the memorable Gold Medal Final, claiming the first ever Olympic gold medal in 7s rugby.

Fiji’s first try was scored by the captain, Osea Kolinisau who dotted down within the 1st minute.

Osea Kolinisau scores the first try in the final (Photo: pbs.twimg)

After the fourth minute, the flood gates opened as Jerry Tuwai received an offload from Samisoni Viriviri.

Jasa Veremalua then added the third try followed by a well worked try from Leone Nakarawa who received an offload from Semi “The Beast” Kunatani.

Jasa Veremalua scores Fiji's try in the final (Photo: pbs.twimg)

Vatemo Ravouvou had the final say in the first half as he ran away after a brilliant step to outclass Tom Mitchell.

Fiji led Great Britain 29-0 at half time.

Vatemo Ravouvou scores the final try of the first half in the final (Photo: pbs.twimg)

In the second half, Fiji continued to fly as Semi Kunatani collected the ball from the breakdown, offloaded to Jasa Veremalua who side-stepped the Great Britain players to score.

Great Britain then found a spot with quick ball and Ollie Lindsay‑Hague offloaded to Dan Norton who scored their only try.

The last try was scored by Viliame Mata who counter rucked his way through to the tryline to have the final say.

Final score: Fiji 43 Great Britain 7.

Fiji 7s team captain Osea Kolinisau with the gold medal (Photo: World Rugby)

Our gold medal Fiji 7s team will now bring home gold to a nation that the team says loves rugby more than Brazilians love soccer.

The Fiji fans in Rio (Photo: World Rugby).

This is a message to all Fiji fans - Get in your Fiji colours and send a video or a photo of your gold medal celebrations for the biggest game Fiji has ever played to our facebook page, fijivillage.com.

Masivesi Dakuwaqa and Apisai Domolialai celebrate after the win (Photo: smh).

Let us all share the excitement and happiness with the world - United as One Nation and One People.

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