The Viria Blues triumphed in the 2025 Flame Tree Waimanu Sevens, overcoming the Vuna Brothers with a score of 14-5 in a nail-biting final held last Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The match began with both teams evenly matched, but the Vuna Brothers’ indiscipline led to a penalty try awarded to the Viria Blues. With a player temporarily sidelined, Viria took advantage of their numeric superiority and executed a cohesive team effort to score another try, ending the first half at 14-0.
The second half saw the Vuna Brothers mount a strong comeback. Their aggressive defense forced a turnover, allowing their winger to dash through for a try close to the posts. A successful conversion narrowed the gap to 14-7 with just two minutes left in the game.
However, the challenging wet conditions resulted in handling errors from both sides. In the final minute, the Vuna Brothers earned a penalty scrum deep within Viria’s territory but failed to secure possession, allowing Viria Blues to clear the ball and clinch their victory.
Captain Seru Tamanikaibau commended the Vuna Brothers for their tenacity and attributed his team’s success to unity and belief. “Firstly, I want to thank the Lord for the talent He has given us. Without His providence, this victory wouldn’t have been possible,” Tamanikaibau stated. He emphasized the importance of teamwork by sharing the coaches’ halftime message: “Work together as a team, play for each other, lessen individual play, and stick to the game plan.”
This significant victory establishes the Viria Blues as the first champions of the Flame Tree Waimanu Sevens, which is set to adopt this unique format as its annual competition style moving forward, promising an exciting future for the tournament.