HK 7s: Fijiana gives up comfortable lead to lose 19-12 to Australia in first pool match

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side gave away a comfortable 12-0 lead in the first half to lose 19-12 to Australia in their first pool match of the HSBC Hong Kong 7s this afternoon.

Fiji scored the first try through Heleina Young in the first 30 seconds of the game with an unsuccessful conversion before captain Raijeli Daveua followed up with their second try with a successful conversion in the 4th minute to extend their lead to 12-0.

Australia regrouped and scored their first try through Faith Nathan just before halftime with a successful conversion to trail 12-7 at the break.

Australia came back strongly in the second half to score two more converted tries through Sharnie Smale and Madison Levi to lead 19-12.

Fiji failed to capitalise on their one player advantage after the Aussies were red-carded for a dangerous tackle.

The Aussies held on in the final 2 minutes to win the match with one man down.

Fijiana will play South Africa at 7.12 tonight in their second pool match.

They will play Ireland at 3.02pm tomorrow in their final pool match.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side will take on Australia in their first match at 9.30 tonight, they will then play Canada at 12.33 midnight tonight before taking on France at 5.43pm tomorrow in their final pool match.

Mosese