GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – By knocking off the current champion, New Zealand, in the IRB HSBC Sevens Series, The Little Nation That Could, Fiji, had their fans and foes alike standing up and taking notice. The final score of 26-12 does not tell the story. After taking a 7-0 lead on a 50 yard (meter?) dash by their 33-year-old captain Setefano Caka, the Fijians quickly saw themselves down 12-7. They also lost Caka before the half and also lost Osea Kolinisau just into the 2nd half. But they didn’t quit. They stormed back and stunned the New Zealanders – whom we’re told aren’t called the All Blacks because that’s reserved for the 15s team only– and set off a wild celebration.
Meanwhile, the USA Eagles garnered 5 HSBC points and finished a notch better than they did last year, this time in 11th place. The big story is that they nearly knocked off South Cecil Afrika, coming up short 17-12. That’s impressive. Better still, our Thursday contributor, Captain Matt Hawkins, played every game. His overall surgically repaired body holding up well.
On the flip-side, RWC 7s Champion Wales got SMOKED by Fierce Fiji and fizzled fast after rousing victories, including a thumping of England and our Tuesday man, Mathew Drew Turner…
So the stage is set for Dubai next weekend, and we’re thinking of going, via Emirates Air of course… Join us, won’t you… Right now we’re off to play in and cover the best club 7s tourney in the world, the NYRC New York 7s. Come on by.
