HONG KONG (AFP) – Australia stunned holders Fiji to win the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens yesterday, taking their first trophy in the city in 34 years.
In a thrilling 20-17 game, a last-minute try from Nathan Lawson upended the Pacific islanders, who had been seeking their sixth Hong Kong win in a row, and 20th overall.
Henry Hutchison put on two tries for the Aussies earlier in the game. Most people had expected the Fijians to win.
“Until the last 20 seconds so did I,” said Australia coach John Manenti.
“Like all weekend we just hung in there; we found a way.”
Australia – reigning World Sevens Series champions – had earlier seen off Ireland and France, after losing to Samoa in the pools.
After topping Pool C, Fiji got to the final by sweeping aside South Africa and Samoa.
“It’s quite surreal that we’re even here,” said Manenti. “We had to fight, we lost against Samoa… we fought hard and beat the Kiwis. We had to fight against the French, we had to fight against the Irish.”
“All of a sudden we’re in the game, we’ve got a minute to go and the boys owned up, it was really special.”
The Hong Kong tournament is the first weekend of the new World Sevens Series, which will make an extra stop in the city in April. It also serves as qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Next up is Dubai Rugby Sevens, in early December.
Sevens tournaments hold a volley of finals on the last day, as a chance for sides knocked out early doors to lift some silverware.
In the lesser finals yesterday, the bronze medal went to France, while Argentina claimed fifth place, New Zealand sealed ninth, and Uruguay finished 13th.
Hosts Hong Kong were dumped out of the 13th-place playoff by Japan, going down 24-17.
