The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side has defeated USA 29-15 to claim the Cape Town 7s title for the first time.
🏆 Trophy lift: @fijirugby are your HSBC Cape Town Sevens winners #CapeTown7s pic.twitter.com/XFS9sfgr2T
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 9, 2018
USA had a strong start with both teams showing great skill and defence which was shown when Aminiasi Tuimaba chased down Perry Baker to prevent a try.
Captain Kalione Nasoko led his team scoring their first try in the third minute giving Fiji an early lead 5-0 in the first half.
Hear from the @HSBC_Sport Player of the Final at the #CapeTown7s, Vilimoni Botitu pic.twitter.com/NBKocgivrt
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 9, 2018
The Fijian side held their ground defensively as the Americans bombarded them time and time again.
REACTION: Hear from Fiji head coach Gareth Baber after his side notched up their first win of the #HSBC7s 2019 world series pic.twitter.com/3hvfpEbn1v
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 9, 2018
Player of the final, Vilimoni Botitu scored Fiji’s second try intercepting a pass from Madison Hughes in the fifth minute adding to Fiji’s lead 12-0 while Sevuloni Mocenacagi scored right after the halftime hooter extending Fiji’s lead 17-0 going into halftime.
Botitu scored his second try of the game in the third minute of the second half.
USA’s first try came from Ben Pinkleman as he powered through a tackle by Mesulame Kunavula and Jerry Tuwai.
Nasoko scored his second try in the fifth minute after breaking through USA’s defence and Folau Niua was yellow carded after a dangerous tackle on Jerry Tuwai.
USA scored two more tries but it was not enough to catch up to Fiji’s 29-15 lead.
Meanwhile Fiji Men’s National 7s Coach Gareth Baber says that he is proud of the boy’s performance.
Fiji had earlier defeated Spain in their quarterfinal 46-7 and later defeated hosts South Africa in their semifinal 17-12.
The Fiji side has drastically improved their defence when compared to last weeks games but discipline is still a lingering issue for the side as they had received a total of 3 yellow cards throughout the tournament.
In other matches, South Africa edged New Zealand 10-5 in the Bronze final while England had defeated a strong Spanish side 14-7 in the fifth place final.
Fiji is now in third place on the 2019 Series Standings with 35 points.
USA leads the Series Standings with 38 points, New Zealand is in second place with 37 points, England in fourth place with 30 points and in fifth place is South Africa with 29 points.
