Fiji retained the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series crown for the second year in a row, overcoming a ‘shock’ defeat in their opening game at the London Sevens to take back to the islands the conveted trophy for the third time in the proud nations Sevens history.
Ben Ryan, ”We have got a huge amount of players back home who have done some magnificent things for Fiji but have never won back-to-back series titles. We had a very difficult opening game and they are fighting tooth and nail there, just like against South Africa last year and they weren’t going to take a backward step That was outstanding and it is group of players I’m very proud of”‘ speaking to worldrugby.org
Fiji Retain Series Crown, Injera Breaks Try Scoring Record
Collins Injera of Kenya has broken the all-time try scoring record of the Sevens Sevens with 231 tries overtaking the record set by Santiago Gomez Cora of Argentina (230). It was another milestone for the Kenyan speedster and his nation, as the sport continues to grow in the region previously dominated by football/soccer.
It wasn’t a fairy-tale debut for Jarryd Hayne though, as England were boosted with the return of Tom Mitchell, Dan Norton, Marcus Watson and Phil Burgess. With those men, they ‘shredded up’ the Fijians in all facets of play 31-10. They did it by exploiting again defensive problems in the Fiji side that people overlook, as they lead the series. Kenya, Samoa and again England have shown the world how to beat the much-fancied Fijians.
With typical Fijian flair, the South Seas Islanders bounced back from that defeat and walloped Wales 42-5 and completely annihilated the Australians 26-0 with some improved defensive plays that were not been seen from them in a while. A good way to shut the mouths of the Australian media, who were all ranting about Fiji and Hayne all week, while the latter may have enjoyed little game time, Jarryd sure knows now what it takes to get to Rio.
As for other matches at the London Sevens, Samoa were brought back to earth from the highs of last week with England running rampant on Day One. France continues it’s form from Paris and all but confirmed that the Portuguese won’t be around for next season.
London Sevens: the LOWDOWN
Pool A (Samoa, RSA, USA, Canada)
Samoa lost all of their three pool games, as it was evident that the victory in Paris took all their energy away, but they will hope to turn things around on Day Two. South Africa (RSA) on the other hand had their revenge from last weeks quarter final defeat, and thrashed Samoa 22-0 with complete dominance from the Blitzboks forwards who seemed to have taken their game up another notch here at Twickenham.
United States (USA) like Last Word On Sports stated last week, they must come out ‘all guns blazing’ and Mike Friday rallied his troops excellently to win twice and were rewarded with a cup quarter final berth, which means that they can still hope to defend their title in 2016.
Canada were unlucky again, only coming away with a credible draw 12-12 in their clash with the US Eagles but alongside the Samoan players, both will look toward the important Rio qualifier in June now. A good finish from both teams will boost morale.
Results: Samoa 5-12 USA | RSA 21-7 Canada | Samoa 19-24 Canada | RSA 14-10 USA, |USA 12-12 Canada | Samoa 0-22 RSA
Pool B (Fiji, Aus, England, Wales)
England topped Pool B as they won three from three, and it’s a good foundation for them on home soil. That will definitely bring in the crowds on Day Two to cheer them on, as they try to win the tournament here at the ‘home of English rugby’ Twickenham.
The inclusion of their senior players and that blistering start against Fiji was the key to their success in Day One action which earned them a first cup quarter final spot after five tournaments. England will have to play their width well, defend strongly and go for those crucial turnovers if they want to finish triumphantly.
With skipper @TBobbyMitchell after 3rd win of the day! @EnglandRugby #london7s https://t.co/XrsgR6OaL9
— James Rodwell (@James_Rodwell) May 21, 2016
Playing against a wounded Fijian side is not the best scenario for any team, and the high-flying Aussies felt hell bent on spoiling Jarryd Hayne’s debut party, but found out the hard way as Fiji dismantled them at their own game; in the ruck. The Aussies will have to be satisfied with the Bowl competition, joining the Welsh team who just didn’t find their rhythm today.
Results: Fiji 10-31 England | Aus 22-10 Wales | Fiji 42-5 Wales | Aus 7-10 England | Fiji 26-0 Aus | England 24-5 Wales
Pool C (France, Kenya, Scotland, Portugal)
France, with the leadership of Virimi Vakatawa, have qualified for the cup quarters again as they try to build from last weeks performance. They must go one better [to win a final] but they will face a Fijian side that has retained their series title already, and may still feel wounded from their early defeat to England and the world of sevens knows that a wounded Fijian side, is much tougher to handle when they are in one of their moods.
Les Bleus had success on Day One, opening with a draw, from there they easily dispatched Portugal before a top-class performance against Kenya ended the day on a high, 29-12.
Scotland has gained another cup quarter final shot and it was evident from last week, that it was only a matter of time before they put things together. The draw against France 14-14 proved that, as they were rewarded as Mark Robertson, Jaimie Farndale and James Fleming led the onslaught when they humbled Kenya and then crushed Portugal.
Winning the Singapore Sevens might have been a misnomer for Kenya, as they continued a seeming ‘downward spiral’ to be in the Bowl section again. Not what they had planned for on finals day, but as for Portugal, this will be the last time they will feature as core team–they won’t be back next season, as Japan now replace them for 2017.
Results: France 14-14 Scotland | Kenya 22-17 Portugal | France 45-14 Portugal | Kenya 12-24 Scotland | Scotland 31-14 Portugal | France 29-12 Kenya
Pool D (Argentina, NZL, Russia, Brazil)
Argentina will be trying to finish higher then another semi final loss this weekend, and will have to blend the young and old to get there. Players like Bautista Ezcurra, Rdrigo Etchart and Axel Muller have to find ways to gel with Santiago Cordero, Juan Imoff and the ever improving Juan Pablo Estelles, to get the positive outcome they desire. Yes, they can do it, as they have the passion to deliver when it matters.
Rieko and Akira Ioane continue to shine for New Zealand (NZL) as the Kiwis are playing with more stability this week, brought in by the return of Tim Mikkelson. Sonny Bill Williams has really stepped up to be leader among his ‘sevens brothers’ as they try to spoil the back-to-back party for Fiji on Sunday. They played like champions themselves on Day One, and will go into Sunday with high hopes of winning their fourth title of the 2015/2016 series.
While the Russian Bears put up a little resistance, this pool was always going to the Pumas and the Kiwis and the draw between those sides in the final game of pool play was a clear indication that both of this teams are here on business. For the Russians, they now know for sure they have next season to come back and try harder to create more upsets [like in Dubai] while Brazil on the other hand, LWOS wish them good luck in Rio.
Results: Argentina 22-12 Russia | NZL 31-0 Brazil | Argentina 28-7 Brazil | NZL 33-10 Russia | Russia 14-5 Brazil | Argentina 14-14 NZL
Now we look forward to more excitement at Twickenham
Bowl Quarter Finals
- Canada vs Brazil
- Kenya vs Wales
- Russia vs Samoa
- Australia vs Portugal
Cup Quarter Finals
- South Africa vs Argentina
- France vs Fiji
- New Zealand vs USA
- England vs Scotland
The London Sevens title is up for grabs, the Americans look good to retain their title while the English are on a high at home. It will be a riveting day as the Fijians try to make it double celebration back in the islands, but will the Kiwis or the Pumas also try to spoil the party. Each side have their goals, so will the French and Scotland continue the trend set by Kenya and Samoa, by defying the odds?
All that will unfold on finals day, as we all know after ten rounds of the HSBC Sevens Series ”as anything can happen”.
“Main photo credit”
