HSBC Rugby Sevens: Fiji are first 3-time champs in Singapore after beating New Zealand

SINGAPORE — Fiji became the first three-time champions of the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens, after overwhelming New Zealand 28-17 in the Cup final amid a raucous crowd at the National Stadium on Sunday (10 April).

The reigning Olympic champions, who had previously won in Singapore in 2006 and 2018, stamped their authority over their equally-illustrious opponents, who were nonetheless making their first appearance at the 2021/22 World Rugby Sevens series after missing the first four legs due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Fiji themselves missed the previous two legs in Spain due to COVID-19 outbreaks in their squad, but they were lightning-quick in their attacks and ferocious in defence to notch the memorable victory, a successful turnaround from a loss in their opening pool match on Saturday (12-21 to Ireland).

"We played five matches over two days to reach the final. Physically we all could feel the pain, so what was important was our mental strength," said their captain Tevita Daugunu.

"We told ourselves we had to execute well against a very tough opponent, and we made sure we were focused on doing that. In the end, we're happy to bring pride to this jersey, to our nation."

Crowds enjoy F&B in the stands, create partying atmosphere

The rugby festivities were enlivened by the attending crowd, which totalled 22,000 over the two-day event. They were able to enjoy food-and-beverage refreshments in the stands, the first mass sports event in Singapore to allow this since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

With many of them donning outlandish costumes and lending their vocal support to every try made, it made for a noisy partying atmosphere amid thumping music all around the stadium, a welcome return for something hardly seen during the pandemic years.

While the fans revelled in the stands, it was all business on the pitch, with the full slate of 16 core teams being able to participate - the first time it has happened in this World Rugby Sevens series, which was on its fifth leg in Singapore.

Both finalists had to negotiate tough opponents in the Cup semi-finals.

Fiji had trailed 7-12 to Australia at half-time, before mounting a stirring fightback in the second half to subdue their rivals 19-12. Meanwhile, New Zealand had an even bigger comeback effort, as they trailed Ireland 12-19 with under a minute left in their match, before stunning their opponents with two tries right at the death to grab a barely-believable 22-19 victory.

Dominant first half seals win for Fijians

However, it was one-way traffic for Fiji in the first half of the final, which was a repeat of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics final in which they also defeated New Zealand 27-12.

Tries from Vuiviawa Naduvalo, Waisea Nacuqu and Joseva Talacolo gave them a commanding 21-0 at half-time. Although New Zealand tried to mount a second-half comeback, Naduvalo added another try to hold the Kiwis at bay.

World Rugby Series leaders South Africa, who were also Singapore Sevens champions the last time it was held in 2019, had a disappointing outing this time around. After winning all four previous legs this season, they saw their 36-match winning streak come to end on Saturday with a 7-12 pool-stage loss to the United States.

Things did not get better on Sunday, as they saw their title defence - and their chance to notch a fifth straight series title - evaporate after a 14-19 defeat by Fiji in the Cup quarter-finals. Then in the fifth-place semi-finals, they crashed again, beaten 15-22 by Argentina.

The World Rugby Sevens series will move on next to Vancouver, where the Canada Sevens will be held on 16 and 17 April.

Singapore Sevens - final standings: 1. Fiji (22 points) 2. New Zealand (19 points) 3. Australia (17 points) 4. Ireland (15 points) 5. Argentina (13 points) 6. United States (12 points) 7. South Africa and Samoa (10 points) 9. France (8 points) 10. Spain (7 points) 11. Wales and Kenya (5 points) 13. England (3 points) 14. Japan (2 points) 15. Scotland and Canada (1 point).

Overall series leaders: 1. South Africa (98 points) 2. Argentina and Australia (83 points) 4. United States (67 points) 5. Ireland (61 points).

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore