The Fiji Airways Fijiana sevens team achieved a commendable seventh-place finish at the Cape Town Sevens, securing a dominant 47-7 victory over Great Britain in the seventh-place playoffs. The Fijiana displayed their prowess on the field by scoring an impressive seven tries, led by Reapi Ulunisau, who notched a remarkable hat-trick. Other contributors included Atelaite Ralivanawa, Silika Qalo, Lavena Cavuru, and Sera Bolatini, each adding a try, while Great Britain’s lone try was scored by Nia Fajeyisan.
Fiji started the match strongly, taking a 19-7 lead into halftime and maintaining their dominance in the second half with an impressive 28 unanswered points. Earlier in the tournament, the Fijiana faced some hurdles in the pool stages, starting with a narrow 7-15 loss to the USA. They bounced back decisively with a commanding 40-0 victory over Great Britain but ended their pool run with a defeat to New Zealand, falling 19-31.
In the fifth-place playoffs, the team encountered another challenging match, losing 14-33 to Canada. Despite the mixed results throughout the tournament, the Fijiana team’s seventh-place finish means they currently sit sixth overall after the first two legs of the series.
Looking forward, the Fijiana are set to compete in the next leg in Singapore, scheduled for January 31 to February 1, with aspirations to enhance their standings. This tournament highlighted the resilience and skill of the Fijiana squad, and fans remain optimistic for their future performances as they strive for continued success on the international stage.