LA 7s: Batirerega scores winning try for Fiji Men’s 7s in their 15-12 win over GB

Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s forward Josese Batirerega scored the winning try after the final hooter sounded to help his side secure a 15-12 victory over Great Britain in their first pool match of the Los Angeles 7s this afternoon.

Great Britain had started the game well scoring a converted try through Austin Emens in the 2nd minute of the game to lead 7-0 before Fiji’s Ropate Rere replied with an unconverted try straight from the kickoff to trail 5-7.

Ponipate Loganimasi scored Fiji’s second unconverted try in the 5th minute to give Fiji a 10-7 lead.

Fiji held on to the slight lead heading into halftime.

It was a tight contest in the second half and Fiji was reduced to 6-men after captain Napolioni Bolaca was yellow-carded for deliberately knocking the ball on.

Fiji defended their line well despite being a man down but GB found an opening in the 13th minute as they scored their second try through Morgan Williams to regain the lead.

Fiji attacked from inside their own half after the final hooter had sounded and won multiple penalties before Batirerega went over in the corner to score the winner.

Fiji will play Canada at 5.30am tomorrow, before playing France at 10.22am tomorrow in their last pool match. The men’s cup quarter finals will kick off at 3.26pm tomorrow, the semi finals will be at 10.08am Monday and the final will be at 2.32pm Monday. Meanwhile, the Fijiana 7s lost their first pool match against Brazil 12-5 and they will take on South Africa at 8.26am tomorrow, before playing New Zealand at 1.24pm tomorrow in their final pool match. The women’s cup quarter finals will kick off at 6.14am Monday, the semi finals will begin at 9.24am Monday and the final will be at 1.43pm Monday.

0' Kick off

0' Fiji kicks off the first half. FIJ 0-0 GB

2' TRY!!! GB's Austin Emens scores their first try. Conversion successful. FIJ 0-7 GB.

3' TRY!!! Fiji's Ropate Rere scores their first try from the kick off. Conversion unsuccessful. FIJ 5-7 GB.

5' GB wins a penalty. They opt to run the ball.  FIJ 5-7 GB.