Fijis's Terio Veilawa scores a try during the pool A HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series men's rugby match between New Zealand and Fiji. Photo: RODGER BOSCH / AFP
The Fiji men's sevens rugby team defeated New Zealand 35-5 in their final pool game at the Cape Town 7s tournament on Sunday morning to secure a semifinal spot.
In the process they sent New Zealand out of title contention, the Fijians qualifying from Pool A along with South Africa for the final four.
It was also sweet revenge for the Fijians, who lost to the Kiwis in the Dubai 7s tournament semifinals last weekend.
The result was also an exciting finish to pool play at the second tournament in the 2025/2026 HSBC Sevens Series.
The Fiji men's team finished third in Dubai last weekend, while the women's team claimed fourth spot, heading into Cape Town.
While the men's team celebrated with a semifinal spot, the women were full of disappointment, failing to make the last four.
The Fijiana women lost 15-7 to the USA then to New Zealand 31-19 in their decider, ending their hopes of advancing into the for the second consecutive week.
They had beaten Great Britain 40-0 in their second game, rekindling hopes that they would get New Zealand and finish in the top two from their pool.
But that was not to be, with New Zealand and USA progressing to the semi's from Pool A, Fiji and Great Britain forced into the playoffs.
In the men's competition, the Fiji side did not start well, losing to hosts South Africa 24-21 in a closely contested game.
A 21-17 win over Great Britain saw them with a promise, with New Zealand as their decider in the third pool match.
That match was a thriller.
Fiji took the lead in the first spell, with Viwa Naduvalo scoring close to the post for Waisea Nacuqu to convert, giving Fiji a 7-0 lead.
Naduvalo claimed a second try when he took a quick tap, with George Bose's conversion giving them a 14-0 lead towards halftime.
Fiji led 19-0 after Pilipo Bukayaro broke away and dived over to score, with Nacuqu's conversion giving them a 21-0 lead at halftime.
New Zealand struck back with a try early in the second spell, Jayden Keelan picking up a loose ball and running in for the Kiwis first try.
But Terio Veilawa finished off another Fijian move, converting his own try to give Fiji a 28-5 lead.
Veilawa claimed his second try and converted for a 35-5 win, sending them into the semifinals.
The men's semifinals, to be played on Sunday night New Zealand time, will see France take on South Africa in semifinal one while Fiji meets Argentina in the second.
In the women's competition, New Zealand will meet France, while Australia take on USA in the semifinals.
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