Fijiana 7s to face Ireland in first cup quarter final despite 31-12 loss to France in final pool match

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s will play Ireland in the first women’s cup quarter final despite going down 31-12 to France in their final pool match of the HSBC Perth 7s this afternoon.

Fiji started the game well with an unconverted try to speedster Younis Bese for a 5-0 lead before France came back to score two tries with one conversion to lead 12-5 at the break.

France scored another unconverted try to extend their lead to 17-5 before Reapi Uluinasau replied with a converted try to close the gap to 17-12.

Fiji lost focus in the final quarter of the game letting the French score two more converted tries for the win.

The Fijiana finish second in their pool with 6 points.

Fijiana will play Ireland at 7.26 tonight.

In other Women’s Cup quarter finals tonight, Great Britain will take on Canada at 7.48pm, Women’s points table leaders Australia will play rivals New Zealand at 8.15pm and France will take on USA at 8.40pm in the last quarter final.

Barring any upsets, the Fijiana is likely to play either Great Britain or Canada in the first cup semi final tomorrow.

The semi finals will kick off at 4.22pm tomorrow, and the final will be held at 9.13pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the final round of pool matches for the men’s category is underway with the Fiji Airways Fiji Men set to take on New Zealand at 5.25pm this afternoon.

The men’s cup quarter finals will start at 10.10pm tonight, the cup semi finals will kick off at 5.10pm tomorrow and the cup final will start at 9.53pm tomorrow.

Stay with us for updates.

Match Updates:

0' Fijiana kicks off the first half. FIJ 0-0 FRA.

1' France loses the ball forward. Scrum to Fiji. FIJ 0-0 FRA

2' Younis Bese scores the opening try for the Fijiana from a set piece play. Conversion unsuccessful. FIJ 5-0 FRA.

4' France scores a converted try to Valentine Lothoz to take the lead. FIJ 5-7 FRA.

6' France extends their lead after Chloe Pelle scores their secoind try. Conversion unsuccessful. FIJ 5-12 FRA.

Half time: FIJIANA 5-12 FRANCE.

8' France kicks off the second half. FIJ 5-12 FRA.

10' France extends their lead through an unconverted try from Anne-Cecil Ciofani. FIJ 5-17 FRA.

11' Reapi Uluinasau scores Fijiana's second try and puts them back into the game. Conversion successful. FIJ 12-17 FRA.

15' Lou Noel puts the final nail on the coffin for France scoring their fifth try. Conversion successful. FIJ 31-12 FRA.

Fulltime: FIJIANA 12-31 FRANCE