New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has praised the spirit of his injury-hit squad after they were beaten by Fiji 35-28 in a pulsating Hong Kong Sevens rugby final.
Tietjens didn’t take anything away from a superb Fijian performance on Monday morning (NZT) in which playmaker Nikola Matawalu was a major influence.
“They played a great game,” he said of the opposition.
“They came out on fire.”
But he also told his own charges of his pride in their efforts and the way they fought back after Fiji had raced to an early 14-0 lead.
“They played well above expectations,” he said.
“I’m really proud of them to get as far as the final and come close to winning it.”
New Zealand, the defending champions, had gone into the tournament without four regulars in Sevens World Series top points scorer Frank Halai, vice-captain Lote Raikabula, Solomon King and Toby Arnold.
With three of the series’ nine rounds to go, Fiji has closed to within two points of New Zealand at the top of the table.
The next stop on the circuit is Tokyo next weekend.
The Hong Kong final was a classic New Zealand-Fiji confrontation.
Waisea Nayacalevu scored for Fiji before New Zealand touched the ball and Joeli Lutumailagi added a second shortly after.
New Zealand struck back through two Mark Jackman tries to level at 14-14 at halftime.
But Fiji made another fast start to the second half as skipper Setefano Cakau dotted down.
Then, with Jackman yellow carded for tackling an airborne opponent, Matawalu turned from creator to tryscorer to help his side kick out to 28-14.
A try to Bryce Heem closed the gap, but Nayacalevu’s second touchdown sealed the victory and there was only enough time New Zealand to grab a last-minute consolation through Waisake Naholo.
South Africa, who lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals, won the third/fourth playoff by beating England 28-0.
Australia made it to the quarter-finals before losing to England.
bunno
Guest
C'mon Aussie, get some 7s into mainstream tv programs, your boys are doing you proud out there and deserve a little more support or at least more awareness. And Hong Kong....? What a mecca for 7s Rugby... absolutely great venue and great hosts - thank you! GO FIJI! Vinaka Fiji!
p.Tah
Guest
I believe just the final day was on Fox, but I was refering to the fact that not many actually watched it. there are some highlights of the final here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQVIJOB1AWM
drama city
Guest
Yes, Johnno, as host country Russia automatically qualifies for the 2013 RWC 7s in Moscow. Don't forget there are also 24 teams competing in Moscow in the men's event as against 12 in Rio for the Olympics.
Rugbug
Guest
Pays to remember who was missing from the NZ Squad OJ they had many top players missing. Still the final was great and Fiji were deserved winners
Will Sinclair
Guest
Huh??? It was live on Fox Sports. Every day was live on Fox Sports.
granville
Guest
vinaka na qito Viti
tc
Guest
I don't know weather Russia is in the 7s World Cup but Brazil is automaticly in the Olympic 7s so i'm assuming they will.
Johnno
Guest
Do russia still get a spot at the sevens world cup in russia.
tc
Guest
One game I did see was China against (I think)Uruguay and I was very impressed by there agression and knowledge of play ,at one point Im sure I heard the commentators say that there was now 120 000 registered players in China (this is not counting all the players in the military) and that they were investing all there efforts into 7s . So it's good news for Portugal , Spain and Canada these teams are now core teams in the 7s World Series .and heres hoping China and Russia do the same in the near future .
SAMURAI
Roar Pro
Great news to hear! Hong Kong is by far my favourite Sevens destination, it was Sevens at it's best.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Fantastic weekend at the 7s. The highlight for me was the joy of the spanish team after they won that crucial qualifying game, along with the passion shown by the Fijian team. I will be sad to leave Hong Kong after that!
ohtani's jacket
Guest
It was a great final. Fiji were fantastic. You don't often see NZ outmuscled like that.
allblackfan
Guest
good news: spain and portugal have secured funding to compete at all of next year's world sevens circuit tournaments. That should really help them prepare for Rio!!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I'm left wondering if Australia plan to invest more in their 7's program. We're already seeing players from 7's making their marks at Super level.
p.Tah
Guest
That final was incredible. Its a shame more people in Australia didn't get to see it. I'm amazed how much 7s is growing internationally.
Twin
Guest
It would be interesting to find out the comment of the refree for the France/Fiji game after he has had a chance to view the replay of that game. Would he change his decission leading to the penalty try and yellow card of Matawalu?
Twin
Guest
Fiji played well and deserve to win but I can't help noticing the resolve of the New Zealand Team. Tietjens has a good mix of young and experienced players. They will bounce back in Japan. The biggest test for the Fiji team is to maintain consistency. It has been a long time since the Fiji fans enjoyed two wins in a row. I hope the management of the Fiji team will work on maitaining discipline as this is something that was outstanding througout the Hong Kong game - baring the controversial yellow card of Matawalu. The use of the bench was also very good - in my opinion. Go Fiji Go
kovana
Guest
GO FIJI! Shame on NZ!