Fijiana 7s goes down 31-19 to NZ but will face Canada in 5th place semi finals

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side lost to New Zealand 31-19 in their final pool match at the HSBC SVNS Cape Town 7s, and they will face Canada in the 5th place semi-finals.

New Zealand came in as favourites and proved too strong, but the Fijiana side gave them a run for their money.

New Zealand drew first blood with a try to Jorja Miller and another to Kelsey Teneti to put them in a 14-0 lead.

Miller scored her second try in the 6th minute to extend New Zealand’s lead to 19-0.

With a few seconds before halftime, Sesenieli Donu crossed over for Fiji, closing the gap to 19-7 at halftime.

The Fijians came back firing in the second half with a try to Vika Nakacia to reduce the margin to a seven-point difference, but New Zealand scored another two tries through Braxton Sorensen-McGee and Miller to put the game out of reach.

Adita Milinia scored for Fiji in the final seconds, but it was not enough to give them the win.

The Fijiana lost to the USA 15-7 in their first pool match, but they demolished Great Britain 40-0 in their second match.

The Fijiana 7s will take on Canada at 8 tonight.

Meanwhile, in the women’s semi-finals tonight, New Zealand will face France at 9.38 while Australia will meet the USA at 10.

The final is scheduled for 2.43am tomorrow.

Live Updates:

Kick-off: Fiji

1' Try to NZ, Kelsey Teneti. FJ 0-7 NZ

5' Try to NZ. Jorja Miller. FJ 0-14 NZ

6' Try to NZ. Jorja Miller. FJ 0-19 NZ

7' Try to Fiji. Sesenieli Donu. FJ 7-19 NZ

HT: FJ 7-19 NZ

Second half: Kick off: NZ

9' Try to Fiji. Vika Nakacia. FJ 12-19 NZ

11' Try to NZ. Braxton Sorensen-McGee. FJ 12-24 NZ

5' Try to NZ. Jorja Miller. FJ 12-31 NZ

14' Try to Fiji. Adita Milinia. FJ 19-31 NZ

FT: FJ 19-31 NZ