| FIJI FIRST IN FORMIDABLE FINISH |
| Sunday, 31 May 2009 | |
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Fiji won the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s Festival for the first time after a second pulsating day of spectacular sevens action in the sunshine at Murrayfield. The Pacific Islanders thus finished runners-up in the IRB World Series – pipping the victors in that eight event contest, South Africa, 20-19, in an epic final, watched by a crowd of more than 11,000. That match was a microcosm of the sheer exuberance, stamina and extraordinary skill level which had characterised the entire event and, it has to be noted, the performance of Scotland was a major factor in setting that tone.
Cheered on by the substantial contingent of Fijians – many of them army families based at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh – Fiji reached the final, courtesy of victories against New Zealand and Wales. South Africa’s passage to the final saw them account for Australia in the quarter-final and then eclipse Scotland 26-21 in sudden death extra-time after a truly titanic tussle. In the final Fiji opened the scoring with a try by their captain Emosi Vucago, who followed up his own carefully flighted kick-ahead to touch down. The aptly-named Ryno Benjamin, responded for South Africa, and their captain, Mzwandile Stick’s conversion, gave them the lead for the only time in the tie. Pio Tuwai’s massive stride put Fiji back in front and further tries by Osea Kolinisau and Vereniki Goneva stretched Fiji’s lead to 20-7. Back stormed South Africa, Gio Aplon – who had scored the winning try against Scotland - and Renfred Dazel crossing, with Stick adding the extras to the latter’s try to close the gap to just one point. Fiji had to defend furiously in the closing exchanges and a superb turn and chase on the retreat by Seremaia Burotu, meant that a South African kick-ahead was shepherded to safety as Vuyo Zangqa was poised for glory. After the trophy presentations, there was widespread praise for a cracking finale to the IRB World Series. South African captain Mzwandile Stick said: “Scotland had the best weather of the Series, without a doubt. Everyone in Scotland is very excited about rugby and loves the game - it’s the best place to finish the Series.” Fiji’s coach Iliesa Tanivula is available for VisitScotland commercials. He enthused: “The boys thought it was a bit cold at the start of the week but they got used to the weather and come Saturday and today it was like Fiji weather and I think that had a lot to do with our win. “Scotland has a long history – to come out here and win a game of sevens is great. This is huge for the country of Fiji.” So, a day that started with a try by Frenchman Jacques Boussuge, and which also saw silverware won by the United States (shield); England (bowl); and New Zealand (plate), finished with the home crowd able to enthuse over new heroes in blue such as Roddy Grant and John Houston. Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “The IRB Sevens has been a fantastic end to a sensational month of rugby in Edinburgh. The capital has hosted not one but three world class rugby events in the space of five weeks which have brought sports fans in their thousands to the city and further enhanced Edinburgh’s credentials as a venue for rugby events.” DAY TWO: THE EMIRATES AIRLINE EDINBURGH 7s FESTIVAL Quarter-final BOWL France 28 - 12 Spain SEMI-FINAL CUP SOUTH AFRICA 26 – 21 (after ET) SCOTLAND
• Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May: Rugby League’s Magic Weekend Scottish Rugby worked extensively with event partners Event Scotland, Visit Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council, to fully promote world-class events at Murrayfield to ensure that everybody attending is fully aware of what Edinburgh as a city has to offer both the resident and the visitor. Our picture shows South Africa's Ryno Benjamin with the IRB World Series trophy. |
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