The Tokyo Olympic Games gold medal was sweet.
However, many rate Fiji’s victory at So Kon Po Stadium as one of our greatest wins ever.
The win was special.
It not only united Fijians, but it also ended our losing streak at our happy hunting ground So Kon Po Stadium.
After winning the Hong Kong 7s in 1992, Fiji failed to lift a single title in the Happy Valley.
Hence, the 1997 RWC 7s, which was the second edition and the first to be held in Hong Kong, was looked forward to by Fijians.
In a final, which is considered to be one of the best 7s matches of all time, Fiji defeated South Africa 24-21.
As our squad left our shores Waisale Serevi raised hopes and beliefs when he promised Fijians that Fiji was going to get the Melrose Cup.
Our ‘97 RWC team was dynamic – loaded with power, skills and speed in Waisale Serevi, Luke Eranavula, Jope Tuikabe, Taniela Naikelekele, Leveni Duvuduvukula, the late Aminiasi Natuiyaga, Lemeki Koroi and Inoke Maraiwai, Marika Vunibaka and Manasa Bari.
The words ‘Phil 4:13’, embedded on Fiji’s jersey, inspired the Fijians who hit top gear in pool play and crushed Portugal (with the likes of Jon Dingley, Miguel Barbosa, Vasco Durao, Jose Gomes, Rohan Hoffmann, Joao Diogo, Nuno Mourao, Pedro Murinello, Pedro Fernandes, Luis Pissarra and Miguel Sa) 59-0 and the hosts Hong Kong (with the likes of Fuk Chan, Hamish Bowden, Robin Bredbury, Riaz Fredericks, Vaughan Going, Steve Kidd, Stuart Krohn, Rodney McIntosh, Luke Nabaro, Rob Santos and Issy Tuivai) 45-0.
After day one, Fiji was seeded fi rst followed by South Africa, Samoa, France, NZ and England.
On day two, Fiji battled Namibia (with the likes of Johan Britz, Dirk Farmer, Andre Greeff, Kobus Horn, Quinn Hough, Gerhard Mans, Schalk van der Merwe, Jaco Olivier, Ronaldo Pedro and Johan Zaayman) and Wales (with the likes of Jason Forster, Allan Bateman, Darren Edwards, Dafydd James, Kevin Morgan, Wayne Proctor, Jamie Ringer, Gareth Thomas, Christopher Wyatt and Gareth Wyatt) thrashing them 66-0 and 35-0, respectively.
Prior to the Cup quarters, Fiji had amassed a massive 205 points and conceded none. As we headed to the eliminations, there was a special feeling that Fiji had the armoury to win.
South Korea (with the likes of Chae Deuk-Joon, Cho Jin-Sik, Choi Chang-Yul, Kim Jae-Hyun, Kim Sung-Nam, Lee Keun-Wook, Park Jin-Bae, Sung Hae-Kyung, Yong Hwan-Myung and Yoo Min-Suk) felt the full brunt of the Fijians and were hammered 56-0 in the quarters.
In the other quarters, Samoa beat England 21-5, South Africa outclassed France 19-14, and NZ thumped Australia 40-12. Western Samoa our opponent in the semi-fi nal was the first team to cross our try-line, but our Pacific Island rivals were brushed aside 38-14.
The Samoans had a strong squad (with the likes of Brian Lima, Kalolo Toleafoa, Isaac Fe’aunati, Rudolf Moors, Tainafi Patu, Afato So’oalo, Terry Fanolua, Semo Sititi, Sila Vaifale and Laiafi Papali’I). In the second semi-fi nal, South Africa proved too strong for NZ, trouncing Gordon Tietjen’s brigade 31-7.
The absence of the late Jonah Lomu, who was struck down with a rare kidney disorder, took its toll as South Africa was in full flight.
The stage was then set for a mouth-watering final between Fiji and South Africa who had won the ‘95 RWC at home, defeating NZ 18-15.
The final was an emotional and unforgettable match and South Africa had a powerful squad (with the likes of Graeme Bouwer, Stephen Brink, Jacques Olivier, Breyton Paulse, Pieter Rossouw, Bobby Skinstad, Andre Snyman, Jeffrey Stevens, the late Joost van der Westhuizen and Andre Venter).
England’s Steve Lander was the ref, while Nigel Starmer Smith and Keith Quinn were in the commentary booth.
The final started on a high as Vunibaka was tackled short of the try line.
From then, the green machine rallied on and Venter, who was tackled by Tuikabe, dashed over for South Africa’s first try which came as a result of superb support and good running.
Brink added the extras as South Africa led 7-0. Venter then received a one-handed pass from Skinstad and beat the late Natuiyaga and Tuikabe to score his seventh and South Africa’s second try in a span of a minute.
Dramatic start from South Africa and Fiji was on the back foot.
Brink’s conversion increased South Africa’s tally to 14-0 with five minutes played.
South Africa was impressive, but they could not afford to let Fiji come back into the game and they had to limit Fiji’s attacking space.
In the build-up to Fiji’s fi rst try, this is what Nigel had to say, “And Serevi still has the ball- on to Marika Vunibaka. Vunibaka outstretched Olivier and Fiji has struck back. That is a glorious try- the 12th try for Vunibaka in this tournament. He is simply in fabulous form”.
Fiji trailed South Africa 14-7.
Fiji took possession at the start of the second half, as 20 year-old Paulse replaced Olivier.
The build-up to our second try was incredible and this is what commentator Nigel had to say, “Serevi though – Serevi is trying to break through – taken down by Venter. Standing out-wide is Vunibaka trying to run around Paulse. Back inside to Tuikabe. This is Fiji at their greatest. Eranavula makes it a second score for Fiji. His fifth try of the tournament and the Fijians are gathering momentum dangerously for the Springboks. That’s one of the best tries you’ve ever going to see particularly in a World Cup final. Simply superb skills from the Fijian side! The South Africans they were there in numbers. They did make tackles, but the support from the Fijians was far too good”.
Bouwer replaced Snyman as Serevi’s conversion made it 14-all with three and half minutes gone.
Lemeki Koroi scored our third try after collecting the ball from Vunibaka who was tackled near the South African try-line and Fiji sneaked ahead 19-14.
Koroi then bagged his second and our fourth try in a minute and this is what commentator Nigel had to say, “Referee will play advantage. Serevi picks it up with Westhuizen in front of him. Three Fijians now against two South Africans – this is tremendous play. Eranavula on to Koroi, again. Can Koroi get there? Yes! Lemeki Koroi scored two tries in a minute. Sensational play by the Fijians!”
Fiji had taken a handy lead 24-14. Three minutes to play and Taniela replaced our try scoring hero Koroi.
With a minute left Brink scored under the post and took the conversion immediately.
Ten seconds to go and South Africa had a hell of a job to do as they trailed by three points.
Anxious faces were seen on the South African bench.
Finally, Bari kicked the ball into touch and there was no time left as Fiji was crowned the world sevens champions.
Dramatic scenes as Bari cried with passion and happiness.
The commentator summed up the fi nal with these words: “One of the greatest fi nals – the most wonderful fi nal. Its been a draining final. Its been a draining 7s tournament. Three days of the highest calibre of sevens rugby and Fiji deserved winners”.
The flamboyant Fijians gathered for a prayer.
Serevi, who was named player of the tournament, was carried onto the podium as he lifted the Melrose Cup.
Such a moment of joy for a tiny island nation! In his interview after the win Serevi said he remembered seeing one of the supporters with a sign that read “Take it home Fiji”.
He told the boys to play as if the final was the last game of their lives, that they would never play rugby again and that it was an opportunity for them to get on the field and do something for Fiji.
Serevi and Vunibaka ended the tournament with 117 points and 12 tries respectively.
The words spoken by Serevi to the late Joost van der Westhuizen, “I know you won the RWC 15s and you wanted to win this one too, but we have to take it home to Fiji”, touched Fijian hearts!
In an exclusive interview, after the win, this is what Serevi said: “In 1997, we went to the second 7s RWC in Hong Kong, and I remember getting into the airport with our little bags and all the other teams had their big bags and all their equipment. We were like little school children with our little bags, but we went in and we went there and it was great. We played well and then we played in the final against South Africa, who had won the RWC in South Africa two years before in 1995 and were coming to Hong Kong with all their top players – Joost van der Westhuizen, Skinstad, Venter and Rossouw. They really wanted to win the WC in 7s too. In the final they scored two tries and under the posts, I said to the boys that we needed to get the ball, and we needed to score a try before half time. Then they lost the ball, we scored and came back into it and won. Winning that little Cup was huge for the people in Fiji”.
The rest is history.
As I conclude, I pay tribute to the late Rupeni Ravonu, Aminiasi Natuiyaga, Lemeki Koroi and Inoke Maraiwai.
May their souls rest in peace!
- RAJNESH LINGAM is the head of department of language at Nabua Secondary School. He is also a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not of this newspaper or his employer.
