Fiji's players react after winning the men's final rugby sevens match againsr New Zealand during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on July 28, 2021./Ben Stansall | AFP
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Fiji beat New Zealand to retain Olympic rugby sevens gold

July 28, 2021
newszetu

Tokyo- Fiji defended their rugby sevens title with an action-packed 27-12 victory over New Zealand at the Tokyo Stadium on Wednesday.

Fiji, who had beaten Argentina 26-14 in the semi-final, led 19-12 at half-time thanks to three tries from Meli Derenalagi, Sireli Maqala and Jiuta Wainiqolo.

New Zealand, who had outmuscled Great Britain 29-7 in the other semi-final, responded through Scott Curry and Sione Molia.

Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
New Zealand’s Ngarohi McGarvey-Black (left) tackles Fiji’s Vilimoni Botitu in their men’s final rugby sevens match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on July 28, 2021./Ben Stansall | AFP

But a fourth try by Asaeli Tuivuaka and a time-eating Waisea Nacuqu penalty on the hooter ensured gold for the South Pacific islanders.

In the bronze medal match, Argentina beat Britain 17-12 in a hard-fought match.

Rio bronze medallists South Africa finished fifth in the placings after beating the United States 28-7.

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