Fijiana 7s team create history and beat defending champions Australia to reach Olympic Games semifinals

The Fijiana 7s team has created history tonight after beating 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalists, Australia 14-12 in their quarterfinal match to set up a semifinal clash with New Zealand tomorrow.

Fiji scored its two tries in the first half to take a 14-5 lead at the break.

Wow🤟!!! Didn't we all love their performance?

We have just knocked out 2016 🥇Gold Medalists. #HowWeSevens #TokyoOlympics #TosoViti #Olympics #rugby pic.twitter.com/YzamURhGu6

— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) July 30, 2021

The first try for the Fijiana 7s team was through a brilliant break by Aloesi Nakoci who ran half the length of the field to touchdown under the posts.

Ana Maria Naimasi who has been a try scoring machine in this tournament broke the Australian defence again minutes after the first try to give us a 14-nil lead.

Both conversions were successful.

Australia was suffocated by the relentless defence, attack and strong work at the breakdown by the Fijiana.

They left everything out there 😔

Well played @Aussie7s 👏 #HowWeSevens | #Rugby | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/VRrIwivIqx

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 30, 2021

This was an incredible performance by the Fijiana who even played with 6 players for part of the first half after Vasiti Solikoviti was yellow carded for a high tackle.

Australia scored a try in each half and their first try came through when Fiji was down to 6 players after a yellow card.

Fiji made it through to the quarterfinals after winning two pool games.

Roll up, Roll up! The Fijiana team have just put in a most amazing effort - even with a sin binning - to BEAT. REIGNING. GOLD. MEDALISTS. Australia.

That’s a far bigger story than the men winning gold. #Rugby #rugby7s

— Rob Vickerman (@robvickerman) July 30, 2021

They upset Canada 26-12 and thrashed Brazil 41–5.

New Zealand demolished the Russian Olympic Committee 36-nil in their quarterfinal.

The semifinals of the Tokyo 2020 women's 7s competition will start at 2pm tomorrow while the final is at 9pm tomorrow.