The Digicel Fiji 7's team is out of the San Diego 7's Cup Final after they lost 28-5 to New Zealand in the quarter finals.
The side's poor defense was evident where the team failed to make first time tackles and Lote Raikabula crossed over for New Zealand's first two tries to lead 14-0 at half time.
Akuila Nawerecagi brought some relief for the Fiji side but Neumi Nanuku missed the conversion before NZ captain DJ Forbes scored two more tries for the final score 28-5.
The Gordon Tietjens team's unbeaten run is now stretched to 34 games.
Fiji has now lost the San Diego 7s title and will play in the plate semi-final.
Earlier this morning...
There is no two ways about it - the Digicel Fiji 7s team has to beat current IRB points table leaders New Zealand in the opening quarter final on the San Diego 7s this morning to defend their title.
The task at hand will be the toughest battle that most of the players in the team will have to face as there will be alot at stake for the side.
The Josateki Savou coached team will meet the Kiwis who will be favorites and also be gunning to create history to win 34 games in a row.
Speaking to Village Sports, Manager Opetaia Ravai said the players have been told what went wrong against Samoa and they should not repeat it against New Zealand.
Ravai added the players were disappointed with the loss against Samoa but that will not be a hurdle in the quarter final this morning.
The first quarter final at 7.28 this morning New Zealand will take on Fiji, followed by England facing Kenya at 7.50am, then at 8.12am Argentina against South Africa while the last quarter final is at 8.34am between Samoa and Scotland. The semi final will be at 11:38am and the final is at 1:45 this afternoon.
