Kings of Dubai: Fiji flatten rivals to clinch Sevens title

13:07 04/12/2013
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Fiji capped a stunning two days of rugby by beating South Africa 29-17 to win their first ever Dubai Sevens title on Saturday night.

    Ending 14 years of near-misses in the UAE, where they have come second five times, Fiji were rampant as they destroyed New Zealand in the last four before overwhelming the Springboks in the final.

    Two tries from Benito Masilevu, and scores for Samisoni Viriviri, Emosi Mulevoro and Leo Naikasau did the damage for Fiji while Sampie Mastriet, Cheslin Kolbe and Chris Dry gave South Africa a measure of respectability.

    Their semi-final performance against the All Blacks – inflicting a Fantastic Fiji claim first ever Dubai title in style record 44-0 defeat on the Kiwis – will go down as one of sevens rugby’s great performances.

    And they continued that momentum into the final where there was only ever one winner.

    Coach Ben Ryan, who only took the job in the summer, but has enjoyed previous Dubai success with England, said: “This group have been with me for the last two days and they have just been outstanding. They’re learning really quickly on every level.

    "It’s been brilliant and they work so hard and that semi-final was flawless against the best side in the world and gave them their heaviest defeat ever. I was speechless.”

    In the final Fiji simply ran over a powerful South Africa, breaking nearly every first tackle and constantly pushing the opposition defence to breaking point.

    Just a minute and a half into the game, Masilevu smashed through a pair of tackles, converting early pressure into points. From then the brutality only intensified. But Fiji aren’t just a side of physical strength.

    Their street smarts gave them the advantage in the breakdowns and they routinely showed flashes of inspired creativity, none more breathtaking than Pio Tuwai’s turn before Masilevu’s second try.

    The burly forward was penned in against the touchline, but showed sublime movement to create Fiji’s second try.

    Just to stamp their authority further, Fiji grabbed a third straight from the kick-off thanks to Tuwai’s tip back making its way to Mulevoro who was given a clear path to the line.

    The missed conversion meant Fiji took a 19-0 lead into half time. South Africa put up a fight with Sampie Mastriet retaliating through an unconverted try, although Leo Naikasau immediately matched the feat.

    Cheslin Kolbe put another seven points on the board for South Africa before Mulevoro ran in his second for a 29-12 lead. Chris Dry’s try after the horn served only as a consolation.

    In the end, South African coach Neil Powell was only able to take his hat off to the Fijians and acknowledge that his side are in good shape ahead of the next leg in Port Elizabeth.

    “We couldn’t make it in the final,” said Powell. “It’s a really good Fiji team and I think it will take a special performance to beat them. They showed what they could do against New Zealand.”

    Meanwhile, the Kiwis regrouped to beat fellow losing semi-finalists England 17-14 to claim third place overall.

    * For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

    Recommended