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Fiji Time: 5:27 PM on Sunday 19 May

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Ilai ignites

By EMONI NARAWA in Hong Kong
Friday, March 22, 2013

Update: 9:58PM ILAI Tinai sparked the Digicel Fiji team to a firing start at the Hong Kong Sevens, beating the hosts 36-0 in the opening pool clash.

Tinai, who filled in his friend Joji Ragamate's playmaker position, orchestrated play beautifully, setting up tries which put Fiji in a comfortable 26-0 lead at the breather.

Tinai, Samisoni Viriviri and Benito Eremasi scored a brace of tries each in Fijis win.

Coach Alivereti Dere said they looked forward to their second game against Spain.

"We'll take one game at a time," he said.

Fans, from home and abroad, gave the Fijians lung power  as they ran Hong Kong ragged.

In the major upset, South Africa was rudely awakened from its dream of ending a 20-year winless jinx at Hong Kong by a gutsy Argentinian side (0-14) in the last game of Day One early this morning (Fiji time).

DAY ONE RESULTS:

Canada 31 Spain 7

Wales 19 Australia 14

United States 14 Kenya 17

Scotland 21 Portugal 27

Fiji 36 Hong Kong 0

Samoa 28 England 7

New Zealand 33 France 12