Fiji will return home from the Olympics as 'heroes', says Great Britain captain Tom Mitchell
By Rory O'Callaghan
Last Updated: 12/08/16 10:34am
Great Britain captain Tom Mitchell says Fiji deserve to return home as 'heroes' after securing gold in the men's rugby sevens tournament in Rio de Janeiro.
Pre-tournament favourites Fiji dominated their gold medal match against Great Britain from start to finish - eventually running out 43-7 winners at Deodoro Stadium to claim their nation's first ever medal at an Olympic Games.
However, despite falling at the final hurdle, Mitchell was happy with Team GB's performances throughout the inaugural tournament in Brazil.
"I had a few tears at the end," Mitchell said. "Everyone has worked so hard, and it has been an amazing journey. It is a nice little way to finish it with a silver medal.
"There were those who thought we wouldn't do so well out here, and we knew we had to come here and scrap. We knew it was about working hard.
"They (Fiji) turned it up a notch, and we've seen them do that on the World Series in the last couple of years.
"They are an incredibly talented bunch of guys, and when they are on form, they are very difficult to stop.
"They got a few scores ahead, which meant we had to chase the game a little bit, then it got a bit loose and that is what they thrive on.
"It is the national sport in Fiji, and those guys will go home and be heroes. I am very happy for their whole group."
Great Britain were always playing catch-up in the gold medal match after falling behind early on to an Osea Kolinisau try.
The Fijians, backed by the majority of the crowd at the Deodoro, never looked back as Jerry Tuwai, Leone Nakarawa, Jasa Veremalua and Vatemo Ravouvou handed the Pacific island nation a commanding 29-point lead at half-time.
Josua Tuisova added another try shortly after the break and, although Dan Norton claimed a consolation score for Britain, Fiji secured a comfortable victory when Viliame Mata crossed for the final score of the match.
Great Britain head coach Simon Amor was also quick to praise the Fijians following the final whistle.
"They are an outstanding team. It is probably right that Fiji, the team that plays the game so beautifully, were rewarded with the gold and the first medal for their country," he said.
"The way they played in that final was absolute dynamite.
"I am so proud of my boys. They gave so much, every single time, and unfortunately the last game was just one too many, but I have never seen a team play with such heart and fight.
"It has been amazing. We always knew we would have 10 weeks to make this work, and we had a lot of rugby in the build-up.
"It has been an interesting journey. We knew we had talent, and the team spirit was extraordinary."
