Fiji Airways Fijian 7s prop Maleli Kunavula dives score to score a try against France during the pool clash of the USA Sevens at the Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas in USA on March 3, 2018. Photo: Bruce Southwick/Zoom Fiji
Baber’s orders executed in Fiji’s big wins in Las Vegas
The orders from Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber were executed, which saw them win both their pool matches convincingly at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas yesterday.
During the halftime break of their pool opener against Russia, Baber reiterated to the players the need for them to pin the opposition into their half and also the importance of keeping possession.
“Pressure them and push them back to the place where they are supposed to be,” Baber said as they led 19-0 with tries from prop Josua Vakurunabili, Eroni Sau and Amenoni Nasilasila who also added the extras from the conversions.
In the second half it was all Fiji with captain Seremaia Tuwai putting his name on the try scoring list followed by Sau, Maleli Kunavula and playmaker Vatemo Ravouvou as they romped to a 38-0 win.
The highlight of Fiji’s play was the tenacious defence with Vaikali Mudu flooring his opponent with a thunderous tackle to the delight of the Fijian fans.
QUICK TRIES
Two quick tries from utility player Kalione Nasoko and Vakurunabili took the fire out of France as they went down 33-5 in the second pool clash.
The French who were fresh from their 19-14 upset win over Kenya came in confident but their hopes were dashed as they trailed 12-0 right from the start of the game. They managed to pull a try back when Pierre Lakafia going over after slipping past Sau and Tuwai.
Leading 12-5 at the start of the second half, Vakurunabili ran in his second try after a break from Tuwai. Kunavula extended the lead to 26-5 before Sevuloni Mocenacagi ran in the final try.
RESULTS
DAY ONE: Scotland 19-21 Argentina, New Zealand 28-7 Uruguay, Kenya 14-19 France, Samoa 12-26 USA, Australia 24-0 Spain, England 40-12 Canada, South Africa 26-21 Wales, Sctoland 40-14 Uruguay, New Zealand 19-26 Argentina, Kenya 19-12 Russia, Fiji 33-5 France, Samoa 29-14 Spain, Australia 7-28 USA, England 33-12 Wales, South Africa 19-12 Canada
Edited by Grace Narayan
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