The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team secured a nail-biting victory thanks to Vuiviawa Naduvalo, who returned from injury after the Perth tournament to score the decisive try and help Fiji claim their first win.
Both sides produced attacking, high tempo rugby, with the lead changing several times throughout the match in an intense contest.
George Bose opened the scoring for Fiji with the first try of the match. France responded just a minute later with a converted try to take a 7–5 lead in the third minute.
Naduvalo then crossed for Fiji’s second try, putting his side back in front 12–7 before halftime. However, the French regrouped and scored again before the break to edge ahead 14–12 at halftime.
In the second half, Josefa Talacolo struck early with a try to give Fiji a 19–14 lead.
France continued to fight back and soon added another try to reclaim the lead 21–19 in a thrilling second spell.
With just 44 seconds remaining, Fiji recovered the ball from a French kick and launched a final attack on the French line.
Naduvalo finished the move, touching down for his 100th career try and the match-winning score for Fiji.
Fiji will face Argentina at 11:07am in their second pool match and take on Australia at 2.56pm.
The Men’s Cup semi-finals will be held at 8.33am tomorrow, with the Cup final at 1.34pm.
Meanwhile, the Fijiana team will face Australia in their first match at 9.31am tomorrow, before meeting the USA at 12.57pm and Canada at 4.46pm in their final pool match.
The Women’s semi-final will be held at 9.17am tomorrow, with the final at 2.05pm..
Live Updates:
France kicks off, and Fiji retains the kickand attacks and maintains possession to win a penalty, scrum to Fiji.
2nd minute scrum and attacks, Fiji scores a try to George Bose, Fiji leads 5-0.
Fiji kicks off, and France maintains possession and breaks through the Fiji line to score the first try to take the lead 7-5
5th minute fiji attacks the French line, and Mocenacagi loses the ball.
6th minute Fiji scrum and France penalised for illegal pushing. Naduvalo scores a try to push Fiji further, 12-7.
7th minute, France retains the kick off and capitalizes on the possession to lead 14-12 at the break.
Fiji kicks off the second spell, and France attacks Fijis defesive line and loses the ball.
2nd minute Fiji gets a penalty and opts for line out. Fiji attacks.
3rd minute Fiji awarded a scrum and attacks the French line.
4th minute, Talacolo scores a try after numerous majstic play and passes from Fiji to help Fiji take the lead 19-14.
6th minute, Fiji could not contain the French attacks, and France scored a try to take the lead 21-19.
With 44 seconds to go, Fiji kicks off and wins the ball. Fiji attacks the French line and scores a try.
Naduvalo scores the winning try to take Fiji into the lead 26-21.
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