Fiji 7s crowned London Sevens champions

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s side was crowned the champions of the HSBC London 7s for the second year running after a thrilling 43-7 victory over Australia this morning.

Vilimoni Botitu set Fiji off to a flyer and a steal from the restart ended with Aminiasi Tuimaba taking two Australians over the line with him.

Australia simply had no answer to Fiji’s passing with sublime offloading paving the way for Tuimaba to complete his hat-trick before the break.

Joe Pincus gave Australia brief hope but a line-out error enabled Josua Vakurunabili to pile over and restart the procession.

Alasio Naduva flew over in the corner then powered through for Fiji’s seventh try of a spectacular finale.

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Gareth Baber said: “Obviously we found it tough in the first four or five minutes when Australia put something in – we knew they’re a good side and a tough side to play against – so we knew that we needed to get some scores on the board, and we did it with some style.”

The HSBC Player of the Final, Meli Derenalagi, commented: “We had lots of work-ons from day one so we tried to improve on day two and our main focus to come and win.

“All the supporters from around the world uplift us and motivate us to come and give our best.”

The Fijian side moves on top of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series table with 164 points, two ahead of second placed USA. New Zealand is in third position with 143 points while South Africa is fourth.

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s side also celebrated earning qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Twickenham this weekend after guaranteeing a top four finish on this season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Fiji will be joined in Tokyo by USA and New Zealand who also booked their spots at the 2020 Olympic Games this weekend, alongside Japan who were awarded automatic qualification due to host nation status.

Meanwhile, the side now moves its focus to Paris 7s where they are pooled with Fiji, Ireland, Argentina and England in Pool A.

They take on England in the first match at 10.50pm {FJT} on Saturday then faces Argentina at 2.16am {FJT} ON Sunday, before meeting Ireland in the final pool match on 5.42am {FJT}