Fiji tops Kenya to win Vancouver Sevens
Fiji became the first team to notch two tournament titles this season, leapfrogging New Zealand to move from third to second in the series standings behind South Africa.
The BlitzBoks, who beat the United States 29-7 in the bronze medal game, maintained their lead on 109 points, with Fiji just eight back at 101 and New Zealand third on 92.
Your series standings after 6th rounds of the #HSBC7s. Only 8 points separates @Blitzboks from second place @fijirugby. While @nz7s sit third ahead of @Aussie7s who are in 4th spot pic.twitter.com/GWnVKVQjFo
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 12, 2018
"I'm speechless, really proud of the boys," Fiji captain Jerry Tuwai said. "The win here in Vancouver gives us something to fight for in the series table. All the teams now are very hard to play against, not like before."
Sevuloni Mocenacagi scored two tries, the second of which launched Fiji's second-half surge.
Alasio Naduva and Paula Dranisinukula also scored after the break.
Quickfire tries from each side made it 7-7 two minutes in, Willy Ambaka crossing first for Kenya, only to see Fiji respond immediately with a try from Josua Vakurunabili.
Samuel Oliech swept over to put Kenya back in front. The conversion attempt was short and a Kenyan mistake on the restart was a golden opportunity for Fiji, with Mocenacagi racing over for a try that made it 12-12 at half-time.
Fiji had it well in hand when Ambaka went flying down the left wing apparently set to give Kenya a final try only for Tuwai to wrap him up.
Relive: @fijirugby's Alasio Sovita Naduva shows seering pace to win foot race and score epic cup final try at the #Canada7s pic.twitter.com/yX3xtTJsuM
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 12, 2018
Fiji had edged South Africa 15-12 in the semifinals courtesy of second-half tries from Kalione Nasoko and Amenoni Nasilasila.
Kenya ended US hopes of building on their victory last weekend in Las Vegas with a dramatic 24-19 semi-final victory over the Eagles.
Kenya had reached the semis with a 12-0 quarterfinal win over England, their first over that side since 2011.
In other quarterfinals, the United States shut out New Zealand 17-0 in a match that saw no score until the second half and South Africa staged a second-half fightback to beat Australia 24-19.
The Aussies racked up two tries in the first four minutes and a third converted try by John Porch saw them lead 19-0 at the break.
South Africa responded with two tries from Siviwe Soyizwapi and tries from Cecil Afrika and Dylan Sage – Sage scoring well after the siren to extinguish Australian hopes.
Fiji signalled their intentions for the day with a 43-7 quarterfinal thrashing of Argentina.
The series now heads to Hong Kong for the seventh round April 6-8.
Results:
Cup Final:
Fiji 31-12 Kenya
Bronze Final:
South Africa 29-7 USA
Fifth-place play-off:
Australia 14-31 England
Challenge Trophy Final:
Scotland 29-5 Spain
Thirteenth-place play-off:
Canada 15-21 Samoa
Agence France-Presse
Dream Team! Seven stars make up your @HSBC_Sport dream team after an incredible tournament at the #Canada7s #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/5YiltUO7yN
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 12, 2018
