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Fiji Time: 7:18 AM on Thursday 23 May

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Flashback: That magical moment in 1990

Arin Kumar
Friday, March 22, 2013

AS we eagerly await the Hong Kong 7s tournament to kick-off today, let's take a trip down memory lane to the same event in 1990.

It was a tournament that is considered to be Fiji's greatest victory at So Kon Po and the try that could never be forgotten.

Those who did manage to witness the try would tell you that the final try by Tomasi Cama in the cup final against New Zealand is the best ever try that was scored at Happy Valley.

This is what The Fiji Times reported that day.

"Playing a brand of enterprising rugby, which had the capacity crowd at the Hong Kong Stadium spellbound, the Fijians displayed unrivalled ball skills to fight back from an early 0-10 deficit against the more-fancied New Zealanders led by All Black Zinzan Brooke.

"After early tries by New Zealand wings Dallas Seymour and Eric Rush, the Fijians clawed their way back to 10-6 with a converted try by rover Noa Nadruku just before half-time.

"It was after the break, however, that the Fijians produced some of the most exciting rugby ever seen in the tournament's 15-year history.

"After a desperate passing movement, Fiji grabbed the lead with the converted try just after half-time.

"Bullocking forward Mesake Rasari then gave the Fijians the title in a breath-taking performance which produced two tries.

"His first was one of the finest tries ever seen at this tournament as he finished off a dazzling attacking raid which featured one over-head pass and another between the legs by the Fijian backs.

"That try broke the heart of the New Zealanders, with fly-half Waisale Serevi converting the try while grinning cheekily at the dispirited Kiwis.

"Rasari, a man who possesses remarkable pace for someone standing at 1.9m tall and weighing 105kgs, then touched down again two minutes later after toeing through a loose ball.

"The emotional Fijians, who had successfully avenged their defeat to New Zealand last year, were later given a standing ovation as they circled the ground."