Fiji’s rugby teams faced elimination in the SVNS Vancouver semi-finals, with the men falling to South Africa 12-10 and the women defeating Japan 28-7 to advance. Argentina triumphed over Spain in the men’s semi-final. Meanwhile, New Zealand overcame Australia in the women’s semi-final, showcasing strong performances throughout the matches.
In a dramatic turn of events at the SVNS Vancouver, Fiji and Spain faced elimination in the semi-finals of the Men’s Cup. Argentina secured their place in the finals by defeating Spain 7-0, marking their fourth consecutive final appearance. Meanwhile, South Africa overcame Fiji in a nail-biting match, finishing with a score of 12-10. Fiji’s women, however, achieved success by defeating Japan 28-7, thus advancing for a shot at silverware.
The matches showcased intense defensive strategies, especially during Spain’s clash against Argentina, where the score remained deadlocked for much of the game. The pivotal moment came when Marcos Moneta scored Argentina’s only try, allowing them to lead 7-0. As the game neared its conclusion, Spain received a red card for Roberto Ponce, limiting their opportunities and leading them to a match against Fiji for bronze.
Against South Africa, Fiji initially led through a try by Joji Nasova, but after both teams faced temporary setbacks of being reduced to six men, the momentum shifted. South Africa’s Shilton van Wyk equalized, before Fiji seemed to secure the victory with a coast-to-coast try from Jeremia Matana. However, a last-minute try from Donavan Don sealed Fiji’s fate and sent South Africa into the final.
On the women’s side, Fiji displayed remarkable skill, advancing to the finals with a decisive victory over Japan. Adita Milinia, Ilisapeci Delaiwau, and Sesenieli Donu each scored tries, demonstrating a strong offensive performance overall. As Fiji, ranked 11th, prepared to face stronger competition, commentator Rikki Swannell highlighted the significance of their upcoming match with New Zealand.
New Zealand’s semi-final against Australia was equally thrilling, with both sides exchanging early leads. Two-time Olympic champion Stacey Waaka scored the opening try for New Zealand, but Australia quickly equalized. New Zealand maintained their advantage with crucial goals from Michaela Brake and Jorja Miller, before Waaka’s second try in the closing moments ensured their advancement. Keksey Teneti capped off the win with one final score, solidifying New Zealand’s strong performance against their rivals.
Fiji experienced a heartbreaking exit from the semi-finals in both men’s and women’s competitions at the SVNS Vancouver, falling short against South Africa and showcasing potential with their women’s victory over Japan. Meanwhile, New Zealand advanced strongly to the finals, defeating Australia decisively in a high-stakes semi-final. Overall, these matchups highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament and set the stage for exciting finals to come.
Original Source: www.rugbypass.com
