Fiji Men’s 7s team coach Gareth Baber says what everyone has been going through in Fiji has been the foundation for what they did over the last three days to create history and win back to back gold medals in the Olympic Games.
Speaking from the Olympic Games Village in Japan after that historic win, Baber says it has been a journey for certain and they have learned a lot.
He has thanked all Fijians for their support.
The team will be leaving today.
Baber will be going back to the UK to see his family after 7 months. He hopes to be back in Fiji in a few weeks.
It was also a historic moment for Jerry Tuwai as he is the first 7s player to win two gold medals in rugby.
Fiji started the match by kicking possession early and after some ruthless defence, Meli Derenalagi scored the first try for Fiji as we led 5-0.
Rookie Sireli Maqala who had an outstanding tournament scored our second try after New Zealand failed to ground the ball inside their own try line and with the conversion successful we led 12-0.
New Zealand’s Scott Curry got them back in the game with a try as he raced away from the Fijian defenders to score in the corner.
Another rookie, Jiuta Wainiqolo outpaced the New Zealand defence to get our third try as we led 19-5.
Sione Molia got New Zealand back into the game with a try just before halftime as he broke through a couple of Fijian defenders.
Fiji led 19-12 at halftime.
New Zealand had all the early possession in the second half but the Fijian defence was relentless.
Asaeli Tuivuaka who has made a name for himself with some big hits in this Olympics, scored the fourth try for Fiji after a number of phase plays as Fiji led 24-12.
Fiji converted a penalty to seal the 27-12 win and win back to back gold medals.
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