Fiji wins HSBC 7s and Paris titles

The Fiji Airways Men’s national 7s team is the HSBC World 7s series champions and  the Paris 7s champion as they beat New Zealand 35-24 in the final.

Champions in France 🇫🇯🏆🎉 #Paris7s pic.twitter.com/kQeB96qJ1H

— Fiji 7s Team (@Fiji7sTeam) June 2, 2019

pic.twitter.com/oolF6wGANQ

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Fiji are your #ParisSevens champions and #HSBC7s champions for 2019! pic.twitter.com/bUKfbFfjE3

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Fiji had claimed the series title after they beat USA 33-14 in their semi-final match.

Their fourth #HSBC7s title.

Fiji sing in the sun in Paris. No better way to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/Ugo5oHxrf4

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

The UL Mark of Excellence Award at the #ParisSevens goes to Fiji head coach Gareth Baber after masterminding a tournament and series win @ULDialogue #EmpoweringTrust pic.twitter.com/p8cXjDYM7N

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

This is Fiji’s fourth series win.

pic.twitter.com/dl3fN7VJt1

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Fiji accumulated 186 points in this series, USA finished second with 177 points while New Zealand finished third with 162 points.

Fiji started the final in exceptional form as a break and off-load by Sevuloni Mocenacagi found Napolioni Bolaca who strolled to score under the post.

Simply the best.

Fiji win the #ParisSevens and claim the world series title.

A special special team.#DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/f8jUQhP9rl

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Meli Derenalagi, who has been one of the finds of the season, picked up a loose ball and raced away to score Fiji’s second try.

"Be a history maker and make your families proud of you"

Inspiring words from Paula Dranisinukula after his side won the #ParisSevens pic.twitter.com/T12k8csbpu

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Aminiasi Tuimaba who also has had a stellar debut season scored Fiji’s third try.

Jona Nareki scored New Zealand’s first try as Fiji led 21-7.

Napolioni Bolaca scored Fiji’s fourth try in the first half as the national team took a 28-7 lead into half time.

Congratulations, Napolioni Bolaca - HSBC Player of the Final. #Paris7s #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/Mq3F4Vpq1O

— HSBC Sport (@HSBC_Sport) June 2, 2019

FOUR-midable Fiji. 🏆🏆🏆🏆 @fijirugby claim their 4th @WorldRugby7s series title. #Paris7s #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/GMG1rMBlI4

— HSBC Sport (@HSBC_Sport) June 2, 2019

Jerry Tuwai continued Fiji’s onslaught on New Zealand in the second half after he broke from a scrum to score Fiji’s fifth try as Fiji led 35-7.

The @HSBC_Sport Dream Team for the #ParisSevens

🇳🇿Scott Curry
🇰🇪Andrew Amonde
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿James Rodwell

🇫🇯Vilimoni Botitu
🇳🇿Andrew Knewstubb
🇺🇸Madison Hughes
🇿🇦Muller Du Plessis #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/RjgXhB7UKE

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Derenalagi was sin-binned after his attempt to intercept a New Zealand pass was ruled to be a deliberate knock-on.

New Zealand took advantage of the numerical advantage as Regan Ware and Dylan Collier scored two tries for them.

The final standings for the men's #HSBC7s 2019

🥇Fiji 186pts
🥈USA 177pts
🥉New Zealand 162pts

The top four have automatically qualified for rugby sevens in Tokyo 2020 pic.twitter.com/t9hSY3yC3x

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Collier got the last try of the match.

Fiji coach Gareth Baber says last year they were in a similar situation in Paris but they did not do the job.

Your champions for Paris and the 2019 #HSBC7s, it's FIJI

🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯 pic.twitter.com/2ygNbxxSJw

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

He says they learnt from their mistakes.

Baber also praised the performances of the new players and also said that this is a special team.

Captain, Paula Dranisinukula says he told the players to be history makers and make their families proud.

It's Cup final time! @fijirugby face @AllBlacks7s

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/OryrUJASv4 pic.twitter.com/UJgOrVjaAu

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 2, 2019

Dranisinukula also praised Jerry Tuwai and the young players.

✅ Won vs. England 52-14
✅ Won vs. Argentina 40-26
✅ Won vs. Ireland 40-5
✅ Won vs. France 24-5
✅ Won vs. USA 33-14
✅ Won vs. New Zealand 35-24

🇫🇯 Fiji bossed the series finale!

🥇 Paris 7s Winners
🏆 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2019 Winners #DHLRugby #Paris7s pic.twitter.com/MwV792aMTe

— DHL Rugby (@DHLRugby) June 2, 2019

This was also Jerry Tuwai’s 18th final win in the 7s series.

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