Terio Veilawa #88 of Fiji carries the ball against Spain during a pool play match in the HSBC SVNS Series New York at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Photo: CAEAN COUTO/AFP
Fiji have qualified for the New York 7s semifinals, keeping their hopes of winning the 2026 HSBC SVNS Series alive, following this morning’s (Sunday) pool matches.
Fiji had led the series table with 86 points and two points from average scores ahead of the Blitzboks, heading into New York.
But they lost their opening pool match against Argentina, 31-12, and threw their campaign into disarray early at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey.
They came back to pip Great Britain 24-19, having trailed 19-5 in the first half.
And when it mattered the most Fiji sprung back to winning ways, outplaying and outscoring Spain 43-12 in their final pool game.
Fiji needed to beat Spain to prevent South Africa claiming the Series championship and they claimed the emphatic 31 points victory with tries from Douglas Daveta (three), Jeremaia Matana, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Joseva Talacolo and Terio Veilawa.
Spain managed two tries through Eduardo Lopez and Asier Perez.
That result saw them get a semifinal match up against Australia, who topped Pool A after they defeated South Africa 19-12 in their decider.
The other semifinal will feature South Africa, who is also chasing the series title, meet Pool B winner Argentina.
South Africa won last weekend’s Vancouver title.
The Blitzboks, three-time winners this season, have won six all-time USA Sevens titles, the most of any nation,
In the women’s competition, New Zealand and Australia are once again favoured to fight off for the New York title and the series crown.
New Zealand will meet United States of America in semifinal one while Australia have Fijiana to tussle with.
The Fijiana side secured a semifinal spot following their victories over France and Great Britain in pool play.
They defeated France 22-17, lost to New Zealand 31-10 but bounced back to handle Great Britain and beat them 36-12 to book their semifinal spot.
Barring any upset New Zealand and Australia are favoured to clash in the final again.
Disappointing result again for the New Zealand men’s team, who have dropped to play-off for fifth place semifinal after two losses to South Africa 22-7 and Australia 12-7, before they defeated France 26-24.
They will meet Great Britain on Monday morning.
Main semifinals will kick off with Australia taking on Fiji in the first of the men’s battle at 5.28am New Zealand time, followed by South Africa and Argentina at 5.50am.
The women’s semifinals begins with New Zealand taking on USA at 6.15am, before Australia battles Fiji.