Fiji beat New Zealand to win Hong Kong 7s

Sport360 staff 19:22 29/03/2015
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  • Laying down a marker: Fiji have the most-ever wins at the Hong Kong Sevens after claiming their 15th triumph.

    Fiji won the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens on Sunday, tearing through defending champions New Zealand 33-19 in a powerful display.

    – INTERVIEW: Jonathan Joseph talks 6 Nations & World Cup

    With the backing of a roaring Hong Kong Stadium crowd, Fiji made up for last year's heartbreaking semi-final loss to England, and went one step closer to qualifying for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. New Zealand struggled to get into the match as Fiji pounded through their defence.

    The All Blacks were down 21-5 at half-time after Savenaca Rawaca put two tries on the board. The New Zealanders pushed through with a pair of tries from Scott Curry, but the Fijians kept finding gaps and a surge down the left wing by Vatemo Ravouvou sealed the match.

    Fiji have the most-ever wins at the Hong Kong Sevens, with Sunday's match their 15th triumph. "I'm delighted," said coach Ben Ryan.

    "We were accurate, we controlled things and made good decisions. We looked like a disciplined side. "Last year was my lowest point in this sport (after defeat by England) and now is probably my highest."

    The top four teams in the Sevens World Series will secure a place in Brazil, where sevens rugby will make its Olympic debut.

    Hong Kong, celebrating its 40th edition this year,is the sixth tournament in the nine-stage series, which ends in London in May.

    New Zealand had only narrowly edged Samoa 15-14 to book their place in the final, while Fiji put on an impressive show against series leaders South Africa to win their semi 21-15.

    South Africa went on to beat Samoa 26-5 in the play-off for third. Fiji only just pushed past England 14-12 earlier in the day in an intense quarter-final which went down to the wire.

    England and Australia are tussling for the crucial fourth spot in the series standings with three tournaments to go. South Africa, New Zealand and Fiji are well ahead on points in the top three spots.

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