When the national men’s and women’s take the playing field this weekend in Birmingham, history will define their success.
Since the inaugural 7s competition in the Commonwealth Games in 1998, Fiji has yet to win gold medal, while the Fijiana 7s did not have a perfect finish in 2018 at the Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast in Australia. The side finished fifth after thrashing Kenya 40-5.
The men’s side lost to the All Blacks 7s 0-14 to settle for silver so the boys have some unfinished business in Birmingham.
Both coaches, Ben Gollings and Saiasi Fuli, have named strong sides for the ultimate task. The sides are laced with speed, flair, skills and experience – tools which are integral in winning our first ever gold medal in 7s.
Teams for Birmingham battle
Six Olympic Games gold medallists – Semi Kunatani, Jerry Tuwai, Sireli Maqala, Waisea Nacuqu, Josua Vakurunabili and Aminiasi Tuimaba – will be part of the men’s team in Birmingham.
Their experience will add thrust and depth. The other players chosen by Ben Gollings have proved themselves on the circuit.
These include Tevita Daugunu, Viuviawa Naduvalo, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Elia Canakaivata, Kaminieli Rasaku, Jerry Matana and Filipe Sauturaga.
Saiasi Fuli has also named a strong squad, roping in Rusila Nagasau, Rejieli Daveua, Vani Buleki, Vasiti Solikoviti, Verenaisi Bari, Ivamere Nabura, Lavenia Cavuru, Viniana Riwai, Reapi Uluinasau, Laisani Moceisawana, Ana Naimasi and Sesenieli Donu. The defending champs – the Black Ferns – Australia, Canada and France will be our obstacles to the gold medal podium.
All Blacks win the inaugural gold medal in Malaysia
Rugby 7s was introduced at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The gold medal was won by the All Blacks 7s who defeated Fiji 21-12 in the final.
They played Wales in the quarter-finals and won 38-14 before defeating Samoa in a tough semi-final 19-14.
In the final, Dallas Seymour opened scoring, and a Christian Cullen try before half-time had the All Blacks leading at the break.
Fiji scored to close the gap to just two points before Caleb Ralph toed the ball over the tryline and dived on it for a try, helping his side claim gold.
The side, which won gold, was made up of rugby legends Amasio Valence, Bruce Reihana, Caleb Ralph, Christian Cullen, Dallas Seymour, Eric Rush, the late Joeli Vidiri and Jonah Lomu, Rico Gear and Roger Randle.
Fiji, which had the services of Eparama Bosekora, Jope Tuikabe, Ro Alivereti Doviverata, Senirusi Rauqe, Saimoni Rokini, Sirilo Lala, Setareki Tawake, Akuila Tuinasau, Waisale Serevi and Marika Vunibaka, thrashed Wales 54-7, Swaziland 71-0, Kenya 71-0 and Malaysia 63-5. The side then beat Canada 26-19 and Australia 28-14.
Australia settled for bronze medal after beating Samoa 33-12. All Blacks go back-to-back in 2002 in England In a free-flowing and open final the All Blacks 7s overcame a stubborn Fijian side that played a quarter of the match with six men.
The final provided fireworks as the All Blacks 7s faced their first real test, but they passed with flying colours. Fiji took the game, but gifted the defending champions an opening try through Mils Muliaina.
Jope Tuikabe scored first and then Viliame Satala pounced on a weak defensive hack from Amasio Valence to score. Craig De Goldi made amends and Chris Masoe’s quick tap and pass sent Craig Newby in and his run round to the posts.
Fiji trailed by two points when Saiasi Fuli was sent off for a late and reckless challenge on Brad Fleming.
It seemed as if the promise of the match would peter out, but Fiji showed greater imagination and flair.
Serevi orchestrated the match, and Fiji was awarded a penalty. Serevi opted to kick at goal, the first penalty attempt of the tournament.
His effort gave Fiji a narrow 15-14 lead, but at the death Craig de Goldi, Bruce Reihana and Roger Randle scored tries, as Jope Tuikabe was sent to the sin bin.
South Africa won bronze, defeating Samoa 19-12.
The All Blacks had Amasio Valence, Anthony Tuitavake, Brad Fleming, Bruce Reihana, Chris Masoe, Eric Rush, Craig de Goldi, Craig Newby, Karl Te Nana, Mils Muliaina, Rodney So’oialo and Roger Randle, while Fiji had Epeli Ruivadra, Iosefo Koroiadi, Jope Tuikabe, Josefa Uluivuda, Norman Ligairi, Vilimoni Delasau, Ratu Saukawa, Rupeni Caucau, Saisi Fuli, the late Seru Rabeni, Viliame Satala and Waisale Serevi.
All Blacks complete treble in 2006 in Australia
The gold medal was won by the All Blacks 7s who defeated England 29-21 in the final.
Fiji won the bronze medal, defeating Australia 24-17. The game was overshadowed by a fi t suffered by Australian Scott Fava after a legitimate tackle by Bill ‘The Stretcher’ Satala.
In pool play, Fiji beat Canada 31-14, Niue 63-0 and Scotland 33-7 and then Wales 26-7 in the quarters. The side lost 21-14 to England in the semis.
The All Blacks 7s, with, Alando Soakai, Tanerau Latimer, Onosai Tololima-Auva’a, Amasio Valence, Liam Messam, Tamati Ellison, Tafai Ioasa, Nigel Hunt, Cory Jane, Lote Raikabula and Sosene Anesi beat Canada 24-0 in the quarters and edged Australia 21-19 in the semis.
England had Henry Paul, Magnus Lund, Ben Russell, David Seymour, Nils Mordt, Richard Haughton, Thomas Varndell, Andrew Vilk, Danny Care, Ben Gollings, Simon Amor and Mathew Tait.
Apolosi Satala, Ratu Mataluvu, Semisi Naevo, Sireli Naqelevuki, Viliame Satala, Waisale Serevi, Jone Daunivucu, Norman Ligairi, Neumi Nanuku, Filimoni Bolavucu, Lepani Nabuliwaqa and William Ryder donned the national 7s jumper and settled for bronze.
All Blacks win in India in 2010, Fiji 7s misses out
The rugby 7s competition was played at the Delhi University Stadium within North Campus of the Delhi University.
Perennial crowd favourite Fiji was absent. The All Blacks 7s with Tomasi Cama, Ben Smith, Benjamin Souness, DJ Forbes, Hosea Gear, Kurt Baker, Liam Messam, Lote Raikabula, Sherwin Stowers, Tim Mikkelson and Toby Arnold, beat Australia 24-17 to win the fourth straight gold medal.
The Aussies had Pat McCabe, Bernard Foley, Brian Sefanaia, James Stannard, Kimami Sitauti, Lachie Turner, Liam Gill, Luke Morahan, Nick Phipps, Nick Cummins, Pat Mc-Cutcheon and Robbie Coleman.
The All Blacks 7s beat England 33-12 in the semis, while Australia beat South Africa 17-7. The South African settled for bronze.
South Africa ends All Blacks unbeaten run in Glasgow in 2014
South Africa beat the All Blacks 7s 17-12 at Ibrox Stadium to end the All Blacks 30-match unbeaten run at the Commonwealth Games.
The Blitzbokke had too much pace and class for the defending champs, outscoring them by three tries to two.
With the sport making its Olympic Games debut in Rio in 2016, the tournament in Glasgow was always going to be about more than the action on the pitch.
The green machine, full of searing pace and no little skill, trumped the All Blacks 7s in the final, even managing to match them physically.
Sherwin Stowers scored the All Blacks 7s first try after a pass from DJ Forbes, but the Blitzboks were giving as good as they got, especially after Bryce Heem was yellow-carded for kicking the ball away.
Seabelo Senatla scored on either side of half-time to give South Africa a 12-7 lead, before Cecil Afrika raced in from the halfway line to extend the lead to 10 points.
Joe Webber hit back with a close-range try after a screaming break by Declan O’Donnell, but when Akira Ioane knocked the ball on with seconds remaining, the game was up for the All Blacks 7s. Australia beat Samoa 24-0 to win bronze.
All Blacks regain their crown in 2018 as kings of Commonwealth 7s
The All Blacks 7s defeated Fiji 14-0 in the final, after the women’s team had beaten hosts Australia 17-12 earlier.
The All Blacks 7s started the game in blistering fashion, 18-year-old Etene Nanai- Setro producing the first try of the game, with a powerful surge to break through the Fijian line.
Regan Ware created a second try with some individual magic to put them 14-0 ahead.
Fiji had lit up the tournament with some dazzling displays, notably with wins over Wales and reigning champions South Africa in the semifinals, but found it difficult to match the All Blacks intensity. With the game running away from this big and physical Fiji side, tempers started to flare and Sevuloni Mocenecagi flew into Sam Dickson with a high tackle.
However, the ref adjudged that Mocenecagi had first made contact with Dickson’s chest and produced a yellow rather than a red card.
Fiji started the second half on top and some brilliant saving tackles from the All Blacks 7s prevented the Fijians from getting a try back. In the bronze medal match earlier England came from behind to beat South Africa 21-14.
Both NZ teams claimed gold in Australia.
