After 9 years, the Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side has won the HSBC Dubai 7s title after defeating Spain 19-5 in the final this morning. Fiji last won the Dubai 7s title in 2015, when coach Osea Kolinisau was captain of the Fiji 7s team.
The only player in the current squad who was part of that 2015 winning team is Sevuloni Mocenacagi, who made his international 7s debut for Fiji in that Dubai tournament.
This is also Fiji’s first win after 22 tournaments.
Spain gave Fiji a run for their money in the first half as they kept the pressure on the Fijians, making them commit some mistakes.
Spain scored the first try of the match from Pol Pla but could not cross Fiji's try line after that.
Fiji's tries came from captain Jeremaia Matana, Filipe Sauturaga, and Ilikimi Vunaki.
Sauturaga was also named the player of the match.
Looking at other results, Argentina beat New Zealand 14-0 in the third-place playoff, France edged South Africa 17-15 in the 5th-place playoff, and Australia beat Great Britain 17-12 in the 7th-place playoff. Meanwhile, the Fijiana 7s lost to Spain 10-0 in the 11th place-playoff.
UPDATES | Dubai 7s: Fiji 0 - 0 Spain
Dubai 7s Final: FJ vs Spain
Updates Kick-off: Fiji
2'. Try to Spain. Pol Pal. FJ 0-5 SPAIN
4'. Spain on the attack. Fiji got lucky with a knock on from Spain. FJ 0-5 SPAIN
7'. Try to Fiji. Filipe Sauturaga. FJ 5-5 SPAIN
HT: FJ 5-5 SPAIN
2nd half: FJ 5-5 SPAIN Kick-off: Spain
8'. Try to Fiji. Jerry Matana. FJ 12-5 SPAIN
10'. Fiji on the attack. Hoping to get another one. Gets a penalty inside Spain's 10m. FJ 12-5 SPAIN
11'. Try to Fiji. Ilikimi Torosi. FJ 19-5 SPAIN
FT: FJ 19-5 SPAIN
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
