The Fiji Airways Fijiana sevens team secured a seventh-place finish at the Cape Town Sevens leg after delivering a dominant performance against Great Britain, winning 47-7 in the seventh-place playoffs. The Fijiana showcased their skills by scoring seven tries, with Reapi Ulunisau leading the charge with a remarkable hat-trick. Teammates Atelaite Ralivanawa, Silika Qalo, Lavena Cavuru, and Sera Bolatini each contributed with a try, while Nia Fajeyisan managed to score Great Britain’s only try.
Fiji started strong, leading 19-7 at halftime, and they maintained momentum in the second half with an impressive 28 unanswered points. Earlier in the tournament, the Fijiana faced challenges in the pool stages, suffering a narrow 7-15 loss to the USA in their opening match, though they rebounded with a convincing 40-0 victory against Great Britain. However, they were defeated by New Zealand with a score of 19-31 in their final pool game.
In the fifth-place playoffs, the team faced another tough match, losing 14-33 to Canada. Despite the mixed results, the Fijiana’s seventh-place finish places them sixth overall after the initial two legs of the series. Looking ahead, the team will aim to improve their standings at the next leg in Singapore, scheduled for January 31 to February 1.
This tournament showcased the resilience and skill of the Fijiana team, and fans remain hopeful for their upcoming performances as they strive for greater success on the international stage.