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more »Upsets galore at competitive Suva Sevens
Nick Jordan, Suva
A day of hard-fought Sevens at the Digicel Suva Sevens Festival saw one draw, seven games decided by less than seven points, and two major upsets. The second day's play saw a completion of the Pool stages, with the quarter-finals set for tomorrow (Saturday).
Fiji Barbarians, the shadow national side, had no answer to the Waimanu village side, losing 0-12 while a tigerish Canada Maple Leafs defeated Samoa Barbarians 12-10 in a pulsating encounter.
That result knocks Samoa out of Cup contention and draws the giant-killers against each other for Saturday’s quarter-finals.
Canada had earlier shown their promise when overcoming a strong Ratu Felise side 10-7, with signs encouraging for the Maple Leafs' trip to Wellington for the third leg of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series in a couple of weeks.
Fiji Barbarians restored order after their shock defeat with a comprehensive 36-0 win over Tonga at the end of Day 2. The result booked the Baa-Baas a showdown with Ratu Felise tomorrow, who themselves had beaten Samoa yesterday.
Host club Suva are still in the hunt and confirmed a date with the Police in tomorrow’s Cup knockouts. They started their day with 14-12 win over Waisale Serevi’s Papua New Guinea and despite a heavy loss to the Wardens, had done enough to qualify.
The Police topped Pool B ahead of the USA Cougars, enjoying a 17-7 win over their American counterparts. The Cougars bounced back from that defeat to overcome a Koiatu Koiatu inspired Western Force, 14-12. Al Caravelli’s side will play the impressive Warden’s in tomorrow’s last quarter-final.
Four of the international invitees square off in the Bowl, with Samoa and Tonga the feature clash. Papua New Guinea take on Australia’s Western Force and Manawatu from New Zealand have to contend with an Army side who narrowly missed the Cup competition.
The Northern Sharks against Veiyasana Malaysian Fijians is the remaining Bowl quarter final on Day Three.
Festival Chairman Vili Rauca was delighted with the results on Day Two in what’s proving to be a hugely competitive tournament.
“The games were tough and it’s great to see the teams from USA and Canada to come out of their winter into this hot sun and make the top eight.
“Waimanu will be a threat tomorrow, even to my Suva team, as will Fiji Barbarians. But the USA has put in a strong performance and will be a top contender as well.”
Rauca expected a large crowd for the final day, a Saturday, and a great atmosphere with virtually everyone having a local team to cheer for.
“We’re also delighted with the response to the other competitions as well. Sevens is played absolutely everywhere in Fiji and we love it!”
Cup Quarter-Finals:
Waimanu v Canada Maple Leafs
Police v Suva
Ratu Filise v Fiji Barbarians
Wardens v USA Cougars
Bowl Quarter-Finals:
Northern Sharks v Veiyasana Malaysian Fijians
Army v Manawatu
Samoa Barbarians v Tonga
Papua New Guinea Menjals v Western Force
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