Fiji edge out Australia with last-gasp try to win Singapore Sevens
Sunday 29 April 2018 14:45, UK
Fiji scored a last-gasp try to defeat Australia 28-22 in the final of the Singapore Sevens and secure their fourth title of the current series.
Alasio Naduva sprinted over for the decisive try in the final play of the encounter - after the hooter had sounded - to edge their Australian counterparts at the end of a thrilling spectacle inside the National Stadium and extend their advantage at the top of the standings to four points.
Fiji started strongly and Waisea Nacuqu opened the scoring with neat footwork to weave through defenders and the reigning Olympic champions quickly doubled their advantage through another converted try from the influential player.
Australia, who won earlier in the campaign on home soil in Sydney, worked their back into the match through tries from Dylan Pietsch and Maurice Longbottom to reduce the deficit to four points at the break.
Fiji turned defence into attack as Jerry Tuwai scored their third to score from deep but their opponents seemed set to claim a surprise victory after tries from Brandon Quinn and John Perch before the late drama, which resulted in a third consecutive tournament victory.
"I'm speechless. Australia are a very good side and took us to the wire. We gave everything for this final," Tuwai said.
"Winning this tournament will boost our morale going to London and Paris.
"To all the people in the stadium, thank you very much for the support and back home thank you very much for your prayers, support and belief in this young team."
England took third place after a thrilling 26-24 win of their own over second-placed South Africa as Mike Ellery benefited from a good break by Dan Norton to score the winning try in the battle for the bronze medal.
South Africa had earlier opened a 10 point lead, through Muller du Plessis and Cecil Afrika, but Simon Amor's side responded with 19 unanswered points thanks to tries from Charlie Hayter, Ruaridh McConnochie and Tom Mitchell before the end of the first half.
Dubai winners South Africa went over twice in as many minutes through Stedman Gans and Werner Kok before England found their late decisive score.
New Zealand had earlier defeated Samoa for fifth place while USA claimed a dominant victory over Canada to win the Challenge Trophy.
