Fiji's Joni Nasova celebrates his team's win in the men’s quarter-final match between Fiji and Spain on the second day of the 2025 Rugby Sevens Hong Kong tournament at the Kai Tak sports stadium on March 29, 2025. Photo: AFP/PETER PARKS
Fiji's mens sevens rugby team survived at the final whistle against Spain to book a semi-final berth at the Hong Kong Sevens, in an action-packed day two of the World Sevens Series at the Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday night.
The semi-finals will be held on Sunday evening.
Leading 28-7 at one time, the Fijians lost the plot in the second half of the match when Spain struck back, keeping the ball and varying their attacks to draw level 28-28 at the final whistle.
That forced the third men's quarterfinal into a golden point extra time.
Fiji's playmaker Ioane Teba then successfully converted a penalty from outside the Spanish 22 metres to send Spain packing and Fiji into the last four.
Fiji started the game well, with Filipe Sauturaga scoring after a direct run through from midfield, breaking the Spanish defensive line.
Then it was Sevuloni Mocenacagi, who added to that before Spain scored, the scoreboard reading Fiji 14 Spain 7 at halftime.
Utility George Bose and Teba got their names on the scoresheet as well, giving Fiji a handy 28-lead with just over two minutes remaining.
Spain then swung their magic band and got 21 unaswered points on the board, however Fiji walked away with the golden ticket, ending the game 31 - 28 in extra time.
The Fijians will face France, who defeated New Zealand 21-14 in their quarterfinal, while series leaders Argentina will take on Australia in the first semifinals.
The Los Pumas are on an unbeaten run at the event, accounting for Ireland, 22-14 in their quarters.
Australia recorded a convincing 34-5 win over Great Britain, with a hat-trick of tries from Australia's captain Henry Paterson.
Patterson said post-match they were confident.
"We have the confidence in the belief that we can beat anyone. I think that's what we're trying to drill into these young boys that when we are playing our best footy, we are world-class and we're a top two, top four team - we should be playing in those last games on Sunday."
Olympic champions France also came from behind, after conceding two early tries to New Zealand, which they scored via Gregoire Arfeuil twice and Joe Quere Karaba to seal a 21-14 win.
Their semifinal clash against Fiji will be a repeat of the 2024 Olympic Games final.
Fijiana women's team miss semifinal
Meanwhile, the Fijiana women's team lost 26-17 to Canada in their quarterfinal clash, missing a semifinal spot.
While the Fijian women started well, dominated the set pieces and contested for possession, they could not contain the Canadians in the end.
Fiji's Verenaisi Ditavutu scored in the corner, giving Fiji an early 5-0 lead, but the Canadians responded with their own converted try to lead 7-5.
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Silika Qalo scored Fiji's second, however Canada replied with their second converted try to lead 14-12 at halftime.
The Fijiana side struggled to contain Canada's attack in the second half, even with Canada one player down after a yellow card.
World Rugby said Canada became the first team to reach the women's semi-finals with their 26-17 success over Fiji.
Canada's captain Olivia Apps said they were excited.
"We haven't won too many cup finals. It would mean everything to make history with this group," she told World Rugby.
Michaela Brake (nee Blyde) scored two of her team's five tries to leapfrog Canada's Ghislaine Landry in the all-time points scoring list.
World Rugby said now on 1359 points, she had her compatriot Tyla King in her sights.
Landry said: "It is one of my goals to be ahead of Tyla. I love her to bits but I'm so competitive."
Earlier in the day New Zealand captain and double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Hirini scored her 100th try against Brazil to continue her stellar international rugby sevens career.
Australia produced a fine five-try performance to beat the USA 35-5, with Faith Nathan and Maddison Levi scoring two apiece and Kiiahla Duff once.
Australia's semi-final opponents are France, who showed a similar dominance in their 34-0 quarter-final win over Japan.
Alongside Hong Kong glory teams are also playing for critical ranking points, in the race to finish in the top eight positions at the end of the sixth round of the series in Singapore next weekend.
The top eight teams in both the competition will qualify for the World Championship in Los Angeles on 3-4 May.
The bottom four teams will appear in a promotion relegation playoff against the top four teams from the World Sevens Challenger Series.
New Zealand women and Argentina men lead the current standings after four rounds, but only four points separate the top four men's teams with Spain, Fiji and South Africa hot on Argentina's heels.
New Zealand hold a six point lead over rivals Australia in the women's standings.
