Fiji will need to put in extra effort if they intend to be in the top three of the HSBC sevens series this year after their unexpected 10-29 loss against Argentina in the Vancouver sevens final yesterday.

Fiji now sits sixth on the points table after the same number of rounds; the three series left to complete this season are at Toulouse (France), London and Los Angeles.

Table leaders South Africa have won three: both the Dubai meets, Malaga and Seville sevens while Fiji won last week’s and Argentina yesterday.

Meanwhile, Argentina shocked the Olympian champions, creating history when they lifted the silverware after 14 years of 7s drought at the BC Place, Vancouver.

Speaking to World Rugby media after the match, double scorer Felipe Del Mestre said: “We knew that Fiji would come at us, but we matched them physically and we managed to score some good tries when our chances came along.”

“This one was for all of our fans around the world who give us so much support – thank you.”

Dream Come True
An emotional Argentina coach Santiago Gómez Cora had his dream come true.

He played the last time his country last won a cup in 2009 in San Diego which was well over 100 events ago.

He also played in 2004 when they won their first ever cup final in Los Angeles.

“You have to dream because dreams do come,” Cora said.

“I loved playing on the circuit, but ever since I have been a coach this has been the moment I have been working towards and my players must take all the credit because they work so hard and they wanted to win this one for their country so much.”

What happened:
Fiji took the lead after two minutes when the ball was shipped wide left and Kaminieli Rasaku went over for the unconverted try.

Ninety seconds later flyer Marcos Moneta scored an excellent try for Argentina, his ninth for the weekend, which Tobias Wade converted to lead 7-5 up.

Before half-time the Argentineans scored their second and third tries, a brilliantly worked team effort finished a successful conversion by Santiago Vera Feld and then Marcos Moneta went over in the corner as they lead 17-5 at half-time.

Just after the interval, Argentina’s v was yellow carded and Fiji looked to take advantage against their shorthanded opponents.

They did that straight away when Jerry Tuwai scored, but the conversion was missed and Fiji led 17-10 with six minutes to go.

Mestre’s converted try, set-up by Marcos Moneta, with two minutes to go put Argentina 24-10 up.

His second try ended the final 29-10.

Source: https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/standings/mens

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj