Fiji’s men’s sevens rugby team defended its Olympic gold medal this week and now the women’s are one win away from a medal of their own after shocking defending champions Australia in the quarterfinals on Friday night.
Fiji won 14-12 despite being reduced to six players, holding on following a yellow card to Vasiti Solikoviti for a high tackle.
Fiji led 14-0 before the sin binning and Australia scored with 40 seconds to go before a late penalty secured a famous Fijian win.
Australia’s players were devastated by the loss and Charlotte Caslick fought back tears at the post-match interview.
“It was really hard,” said Caslick. “It was probably one of the hardest games of sevens I’ve ever played.
“Credit to the Fijian girls for coming out there as strong as they did. They were really, really awesome.
“I guess we shifted that momentum but we didn’t have enough time.”
A tough loss for the @Aussie7s.
Fiji win 14-12 in the quarter final.#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/nV0IjgZzf6
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) July 30, 2021
Fijiana led through Alowesi Nakoci and Ana Maria Naimasi tries and it wasn’t until the end of first half befioore Australia scored through Faith Nathan.
Sharni Williams missed her conversion attempt and that proved costly after Caslick scored with 40 seconds of the game to play and the conversion left Australia two points down.
Like their men’s team, the Fijiana have been away from their families for five months due to COVID, which has hit the South Pacific nation hard.
“Our thoughts are back at home for our families, not saying goodbye to them, training for five months and not even seeing them,” Fijiana captain Rusila Nagasau said.
“It was a big task. Our main aim is to go back home and meet them and give them the gold medal.
“It’s all about the nation. The nation sent us here to come and do a job, not just for us and our families, but for the country.
“It is a big thing for us to be the first women in Fiji to win a gold medal – that is our aim right now. To make history.”
Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach John Manenti said: “It’s really disappointing for the girls, they’ve worked so hard for a long time, and this isn’t a return on the investment which they have put in.
“I’m devastated for them.
“It’s a game of inches, and a few of those little opportunities didn’t go our way, or we missed opportunities when we needed to take them.
“We played with great spirit, we have defended for long periods and did well, but ultimately a few misses in defence was the difference between a win and loss.
“I’m incredibly proud of how hard the girls fought. They played with a lot of courage, we have a young group, and I know a lot of them will be better for this in the long run.
“There’s two games tomorrow which we will have a lot to improve on, as well as finish in a way which we are proud of.”
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