11 January, 2026, 8:36 am Central - 25°C Rain

Indiscipline cost Fiji Men’s 7s a place in the LA 7s semi final after losing 21-19 to Spain

Indiscipline cost Fiji Men’s 7s a place in the LA 7s semi final after losing 21-19 to Spain

By Mosese Raqio
03/03/2024
Spain’s Jaime Manteca cuts through the Fijian defense. [Photo credit: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby]

Indiscipline proved too costly for the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side as they gave up a 19-0 lead to lose 21-19 to Spain in their quarter final clash at the Los Angeles 7s this afternoon.

A red card to Terio Veilawa and a yellow card to Pilipo Bukayaro in the final 3 minutes of the match was capitalised by Spain as they scored a penalty try and two converted tries for the win.

Fiji took a comfortable 19-0 lead at the break through two converted tries by Ponipate Loganimasi and Bukayaro and an unconverted try by Ropate Rere.

Spain came back firing in the last three minutes of the match after referee Francisco Gonzalez flashed a yellow card to Terio Veilawa but was later upgraded to a red card after a review of the tackle by the TMO.

Bukayaro was yellow carded a few seconds later after a high tackle on a Spain player preventing him from scoring a try, but was awarded a penalty try.

Juan Ramos scored two more converted tries to steal the win.

The win has also gone down in the books of history for the Spanish side as they have qualified for the cup semi final for the first time ever in the HSBC SVNS World Series.

In other quarter finals, France beat the USA 14-0 and Ireland beat table leaders Argentina 24-14.


Match Updates:

0' Fiji kicks off this third cup quarter final match up. FIJ 0-0 ESP

1' Fiji's Ponipate Loganimasi scores their first try under the post. Conversion successful. FIJ7-0 ESP

2' Fiji scored their second converted try through Pilipo Bukayaro straight from the restart. FIJ 14-0 ESP

4' Fiji knocks the ball over inside their own half. Scrum to Spain.  FIJ 14-0 ESP

5' Fiji penalised again inside their own half. Spain opts for scrum.  FIJ 14-0 ESP

6' Spain loses ball forward after great defence from Fiji. Scrum to Fiji inside their own 22 metre line.  FIJ 14-0 ESP

7' Ropate Rere scores Fiji's third try after a great breakaway from Fiji inside their own half. Conversion missed. FIJ 19-0 ESP

Halftime: Fiji 19-0 Spain

7' Spain kicks off second half.  FIJ 19-0 ESP

8' Fiji knocks the ball on inside Spain's territory. Scrum to Spain. FIJ 19-0 ESP

10' Another knock on by Fiji inside their 22 metre line. Scrum to Spain. FIJ 19-0 ESP

11' Fiji's Terio Veilawa red-carded for a dangerous tackle. Penalty to Spain inside Fiji's 22 metre line.

11' Spain opts for a scrum. FIJ 19-0 ESP

11' Fiji reduced to 5 men after Pilipo Bukayaro was yellow carded as well. Spain awarded a penalty try. FIJ 19-7 ESP

12' Spain scores their second try. Conversion successful. FIJ 19-14 ESP

13' Spain scores their third try and Juan Ramos' second try. Conversion successful. Spain now leads. FIJ 19-21 ESP

14' Scrum awarded too Fiji inside their own half. FIJ 19-21 ESP

15' Spain loses the ball in the ruck. Referee blows the final whistle. Fulltime: FIJ 19-21 ESP

FEATURE NEWS
We in the village are not aware of the increase in electricity tariff, this is a concern - Naisausau villager
Concerns have been raised over the increase in electricity tariff, with villagers of Namara in Tailevu saying the decision is financially driven and w...
15 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
FNPF to hold Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa
The Fiji National Provident Fund will be holding its Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa, and they are urging members to attend, ...
15 hours ago

Flood-hit Naria residents call for urgent survey; council says work underway
Concerned residents of Naria in Rakiraki are calling for an urgent survey to address flooding issues that occur during heavy rain due to blocked ...
15 hours ago

Suva Magistrates Court grants bail to two men charged in alleged tender scam
Two men who were charged in relation to an alleged tender scam have been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.Ripon Baral is charged by the ...
15 hours ago

X faces possible UK ban after AI tool Grok creates fake sexual images of females
The UK government has warned that Elon Musk’s social media platform X could be blocked if it doesn't follow online safety rules.This comes after ...
18 hours ago

WAF carrying out preparatory works to fix sewage spill in Laucala Beach
The ongoing sewage spill from the manhole at the back entrance of a supermarket at Laucala Beach has been caused by a severe collapse of the ...
20 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
9 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
20 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
20 days ago

TOP