19 December, 2025, 6:56 am Central - 24°C Rain

Moneta breaks Fijian hearts as Argentina wins 35-14

Moneta breaks Fijian hearts as Argentina wins 35-14

By Alipate Narawa
22/05/2023
[Image: World Rugby]

Marcos Moneta broke Fijian hearts by scoring two tries as Argentina won 35-14 securing the London 7s title early this morning.

It is a repeat of 2011 where Fiji did not win any tournaments in the HSBC 7s series.

Filipe Sauturaga set things off with a try in the first minute, converted by Waisea Nacuqu putting Fiji ahead 7-0.

Josese Batirerega was given a red card in the second minute for a dangerous tackle which cut Fiji’s numbers down to 6 for the next 12 minutes of play.

Argentina struck back through German Schulz in the third minute, and the score was leveled at 7-all.

Moneta scored the first of his two tries and Argentina led 14-7 at the break.

Sauturaga kept Fiji’s hopes alive as he got his second try in the eighth minute.

Rodrigo Isgro who won player of the final dotted down twice to increase Argentina’s lead to 28-14.

Manueli Maisamoa got a yellow card while Moneta got his second try to seal the win at 35-14.

Fiji beat Australia 19-5 in the cup quarter final while we beat New Zealand 19-17 in the semi final.

It is a disappointing season for Fiji as this is just their third cup final this season, the other two times were in the Hong Kong 7s last November and the Hong Kong 7s in March.

Match Report

Fiji
vs
Argentina
Fiji national anthem 

Argentina National Anthem

1' Fiji now in possession and Sauturaga gets away with the ball to score the first try. Nacuqu converts the try 

7-0

2' Josese Batirerega is shown the red card for a dangerous tackle.
7-7
3' German Schulz scores a try for the Argentinian side and Santiago Vera Feld converts to draw with Fiji.

7-14
5' Marcos Moneta scores again for Argentina. 

Half time 

7-14


7' Sauturaga uses the space and makes the second try of the final, Nacuqu converts the try to level it 14 all
14-14


14-21
9' Argentina with the tricks! Rodrigo Isgro makes the third try to extend their lead in the final
Red card now taking its toll on Fiji.
14-28
11' Rodrigo Isgro finding the gap to score his second try of the match

Full Time

14-35

14' Marcos Moneta seals the deal and scores the winning try for the Argentina side


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