Team GB win Olympic rugby sevens silver after heavy final defeat against Fiji
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 12/08/16 10:34am
Team GB had to settle for silver in the Olympic Games rugby sevens after they were routed 43-7 by Fiji in a one-sided final in Rio.
The Fijians ran in five first-half tries and cruised to victory to win a first medal in the nation's history in a sport that dominates the local landscape.
They had earlier made sure of a first medal of any colour by beating Japan 20-5 in the semi-finals where Great Britain beat South Africa 7-5 to at least secure silver.
But the final proved to be one game too far for Great Britain as they were blown away by the sheer power and pace of the Pacific Islanders.
Fiji needed only a few seconds to score their first try with Osea Kolinisau sprinting over in the corner and they made it three tries in the first five minutes when Jerry Tuwai and Jesa Veremalua crossed.
Leone Nakarawa made it four and Fiji were 29-0 in front by the break thanks to a fifth score from Valerno Ravouvou.
Josua Tuisova added another try shortly after half-time, and although Dan Norton claimed a consolation score for Britain, Fiji inevitably had the final word when Viliame Mata crossed the whitewash.
Fiji's English coach Ben Ryan, who will now step down from the role, said: "We did say we wanted to show people the way to play the Fijian way. And we were great that we delivered that in fairly spectacular fashion."
"When these guys are on fire, it's very difficult to combat," said GB captain Tom Mitchell. "They're very worthy champions."
South Africa won the bronze medal after beating Japan 54-14 in the third-place play-off.
