Fiji and New Zealand Claim Oceania Rugby Sevens Championships

Home favourites Fiji have emerged victorious against arch rivals, New Zealand (26-0) to win the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship, with New Zealand edging Australia (12-5) in a close Final in the Women’s Championship to be crowned winners, in Suva Fiji today.

After threatening to disrupt day 1 the weather dictated all the action in Suva today. With games delayed due to lighting and a heavy downpour of rain. Unfortunately, 6 matches were abandoned due to the extreme weather and dangerous conditions.

The first 9 games of the day were played before lighting strikes caused play to be held for the safety of the players and crowd.

Oceania Rugby Tournament Director Wayne Schuster said: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to New Zealand for winning the Women’s Championship and Fiji for winning the Men’s Championship.

“I’d also like to acknowledge and thank all teams who have participated in the competition across the last two days. All matches were played in a great spirit that reflected the values of Rugby across the Pacific.

“Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather and storms we were unable to complete all of the scheduled matches on day two of the Championship. As always, our core focus was on the welfare of players and fans which is why Oceania Rugby took action to protect all parties.”

BLACK FERNS HOLD OUT AUSTRALIA
Throughout the day renditions of God Defend New Zealand were heard around the ground after St Annes Primary school came to ANZ Stadium to support their new best friends the Black Ferns who visited the school on Thursday as a part of the Beyond Oceania Sevens School program.

The young girls stayed throughout the rain to watch the New Zealand side defeat Australia 12-5, in what was a great final between the two Trans-Tasman Rivals.

In a flip to tradition the Women’s Championship final was the final match of the tournament with fans staying to cheer their new Champions home against Australia.

(Source: Oceania Rugby Media)