The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7's team struggled to beat a strong Argentina side 33-24 in their second pool match.
FT |🇫🇯 33 -24 🇦🇷| @fijirugby make it 2⃣ from 2⃣#NZSevens pic.twitter.com/vY5JGt07ta
— HSBC NZ Sevens (@NZ_Sevens) January 26, 2019
Waisea Nacuqu scored the first try and soon after Argentina’s Santiago Mare replied with a try of his own in the third minute.
The two sides were locked 5-all before Meli Derenalagi crossed over twice for Fiji to add to their lead.
RE:LIVE: FIJI = OFFLOAD!@fijirugby offload crazy to score this absolute cracker at the #NZSevens#DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/RczqccptHd
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 26, 2019
It did not deter the Argentinians as they continued to provide the challenge scoring another try just before half time.
RE:LIVE Beautifully dink through by @unionargentina leads to superb try against Fiji at the #NZSevens#DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/0LYbgowrUe
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 26, 2019
With a number of miss tackles and lost turnovers Coach Gareth Baber stressed to the players during the halftime break that he expected more from them.
Fiji led 19-12 at halftime.
Jerry Tuwai lit up the second half showcasing some great foot work leaving the Argentinian players running around before Fiji finally scored through Vilimoni Botitu.
Naduva scored his second try for the day after racing away from Argentina who did not give up very easily as they scored another two tries soon after.
In other matches played, Scotland beat Kenya 19-10, South Africa defeated France 17-5, England beat Tonga 36-7, USA defeated Samoa 34-14 and Australia beat Wales 26-5.
Meanwhile, USA’s speedster Perry Baker is out of the Hamilton and Sydney Sevens after suffering a broken jaw during their match against Tonga.
Solid win for USA buuuuttttt RIP to the homie Perry Baker 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/rrfT873s9N
— TonganNextDoor (@WALLeWaxedThaa) January 25, 2019
Fiji will face Australia at 6.52pm in their last pool match.
Barring any upsets Fiji who currently top Pool A will face Spain or New Zealand in the quarter final.
Fiji will then most likely face South Africa or Samoa in the semifinal.
The cup quarters of the Hamilton 7's will start at 10.36am tomorrow, the semifinals will kick off at 3.16pm and the final will start at 7.10pm tomorrow.
