The Fiji Airways National 7s side were outplayed 17-12 by New Zealand in their first pool match at the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles.
Fiji started off well after try scoring machine Joji Nasova ran in from some broken play to get Fiji on the board.
Filipe Sauturaga scored Fiji’s second after running the ball up from just outside their 22 metre line from a line out as New Zealand looked out of sorts.
Fiji went into the break leading 12-0.
New Zealand started the second half with a bang, as Tone Ng Shiu powered over for their first try to make it 12-7.
The Fiji team looked rattled as New Zealand set the pace attacking the break down and the kick offs.
New Zealand were easily able to turn over two kickoffs into tries as they overpowered the Fiji ruck.
Dylan Collier scored in the 11th minute with Saofai Maka getting the last say scoring in the corner to break Fiji’s hearts.
Fiji next play Australia at 9.07am who beat Spain 15-10 earlier this morning.
Their last pool game is against Spain at 12.13pm today.
The semi finals are at 8.07am tomorrow, with the cup final at 12.07pm.
Full time: FIJ 12-17 NZL
A minute to go Maka scores in the corner
12" New Zealand pressuring Fiji bit of scuffle on the field, TRY!!
11" Dylan Collier dots down in the corner, FIJ 12-12 NZL
10" New Zealand get a turn over, TRY!!
8" Tone Ng Shiu crosses over for New Zealand, FIJ 12-7 NZL
HT: Fiji 12 - 0 NZL
7' Nasova powers Vai over the sideline
Filipe Sauturaga runs it all the way from a lineout, FIJ 12-0 NZL
6' Careless pass from New Zealand goes out and they couldn't take advantage of the overlap with one Fiji player injured, Go Fiji Go chants loud in the stands. TRY!!
2' Basiyalo swats the ball, scrum to Fiji, TRY!! Joji Nasova scores - FIJ 5-0 NZL
1' Mocenacagi receives the kick off but doesn't release in the tackle, NZ get the penalty
LA 7s: Fiji vs NZL
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