Talei Matairakula 
[Source: World Rugby Sevens]
The Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team has failed to advance to the Cup quarter-finals in Toulouse.
This as the Ben Gollings-coached side did not win any of its pool matches.
It also means that this is the 10th tournament this season that Fiji has not won any title and their place in next year’s Olympics is in question.
Fiji started well as policeman Terio Tamani bagged a stunning double to put them in front 14-5.
WHAT. A. PASSAGE. OF. SEVENS! 🤩
🤝 @fijirugby and @FranceRugby take a bow! 🙌#France7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/VIOxOt9d6R
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) May 13, 2023
The hosts did not go down without a fight as they used their speedster Joachim Trouabal to outpace the tired Fijian defenders, keeping them in the game.
You can’t buy speed ⚡
Joachim Trouabal puts @France7s on the board 🇫🇷#France7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/TpgnsrTebO
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) May 13, 2023
Fiji led 14-5 at halftime.
France was a different outfit in the second spell as they quickly got on the board with Trouabal’s double.
Kadavu man Veilawa managed to stretch Fiji’s lead with his hat-trick but it only lasted for a minute as France managed to equalized through Rayan Rebbadj.
It was anybody’s game with scores locked at 19-all but it was the French, motivated by their vocal crowed, that had the last say with Trouabal completing his hat-trick for a 24-19 final scoreline.
Fiji defeated Germany 28-5 in the 9th Place quarter-final this morning and will face Uruguay in the 9th Place semi-final at 10:26 tonight.
Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
