We did it – Fiji Beats NZ To Claim Gold At Olympics

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Fiji 7s players after receiving their gold medal. Picture: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The Fiji 7s team retained the Olympics rugby 7s gold medal after beating arch rivals New Zealand 27-12 in a hard fought final at the Tokyo Stadium in Japan last night.

Fiji gave all its best, even debutant Sireli Maqala managed to score a try in his first Olympics rugby final.

Tries to Meli Derenalagi, Maqala and hard running Jiuta Waiqolo saw the Fijians in the lead 19-12 at half-time. New Zealand co-captain Scott Curry led their fight back with a try along with Sione Molia.

Both teams lifted their intensity in the second half but the Fijian defence stood out as they managed to hold their own against the bigger NZ players.

Stocky Asaeli Tuivuaka scored the only try of the second half as the Gareth Baber-coached side battled on to win their second successive Olympics 7s gold.

Fiji converted a last-minute penalty to seal the victory 27-12.

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