Fiji 7s

The team defeated BBE Vaiala 38-7 in the main final of the competition.

The side was coached by former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians legend Sireli Bobo with the services of World 7s series regulars Josevani Soro, Josese Batirerega and Rokoua Rasaku.

It was a shaky start by both sides with a few handling errors in the first two minutes before Joseva Talacolo marked his return for Fiji at the World Series with the first try following some powerful work by Josese Batirerega.

Samoa had a few scoring chances but Fiji’s defense made the difference in the first seven minutes for a converted try lead at the break under wet conditions.

However, it was Waisea Nacuqu who sliced through the defense in the 4th minute before teaming up with Ponipate Loganimasi who released Filipo Bukayaro to score.

It is also the fifth tournament this season that Fiji has failed to reach the final.

Argentina had an explosive start winning the restart and they did what they have been doing all tournament, spreading the ball fast, running hard lines and changing direction.

Rodrigo Isgro than used his size to tower through, dragging three Fijian defenders over the try-line

Fiji struck back from the restart, they recycled quickly with Ponipate Loganimasi slicing through for their first try.

The national side’s offload game was on show as they put on a better performance compared to the semi-final clash against South Africa.

France struck first through a Thomas Carol try to lead 5-0 after three minutes of play.

A minute later Jerry Tuwai drew a couple of defenders before releasing for Iowane Teba as Fiji answered back with an uncovered try to level the scores at 5-all.

Fiji’s wait for a gold medal in 7s continues.

Blitzbok raced to an early lead and pressured the national side to making many unforced errors.

Muller Du Plessis ran in two tries to help his side.

The other tries were scored by JC Pretorious and Shaun Williams as they led 17-0 at half time.

Skipper Waisea Nacuqu scored the lone try for Fiji in the second spell but it wasn’t enough as South Africa proved too strong in defense.

Fiji settles for silver and New Zealand secures a bronze medal win.

The men's Sevens squad consists of six Olympic Gold medalists plus several from this year's World Rugby Sevens Series team.

Of those travelling, five were part of the Commonwealth Games in Australia four years ago.

Meanwhile, women's Sevens coach Saiasi Fuli has named a team that includes 10 bronze medalists from the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Veteran forward Rusila Nagasau will captain the side.

Men's coach Ben Gollings said he's confident for the Games with the talent he has been able to draw on.

The Fiji Rugby Union announced on Monday that 2005 Sevens World Cup winner Viliame Satala and two-time Olympian and gold medal winner Jerry Tuwai will be part of a new coaching set-up, with Englishman Ben Gollings.

Satala, known as 'The Stretcher' during his playing days because of his bone-crunching tackles will focus on the forwards, skills and support with talent identification and mentoring of players.

While Tuwai will take on the role of player/coach to develop his coaching.

Gollings said the 2016 Olympic gold medalist still has the stamina with double Olympic gold medalist, Jerry Tuwai sharing similar sentiments.

Despite mostly playing fifteens for the past five years, Gollings said he believes Kunatani can do it again in 7s.

Gollings visited the team in camp and was briefed by the interim head coach Saiasi Fuli on the training programmes and progress so far as the team prepares for the Malaga 7s in Spain.

Gollings said the first week is all about observing the players and seeing how the training programme is in order to analyze what needs to be done.

Gollings is the third successive overseas coach to hold the position with the previous two – Ben Ryan and Gareth Baber – having guided the squad to gold medal success at the Olympic Games in Rio and Japan.

O’Connor told The Fiji Times that most of the applicants for the head coach job were expatriates and said: “About 30 applicants were received and mostly expatriates. We shortlisted seven and from the FRU’s point of view, we appointed the person on merit and being the best person for the job based on the outcome of the interview and so forth.”