ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Samoa come from behind to upset Fiji in epic Paris Sevens Final

BY Grant Constable  ·  Monday May 16, 2016

Samoa upset South Africa then came from behind to beat Fiji in an unbelievable day of Rugby Sevens in Paris on Sunday. Fiji shot out the gates in typical fashion but Samoa somehow turned around a 26-7 deficit to lead 29-26, and hang on in the dying seconds.

The victory is Samoa’s first Sevens Series Cup win since December 2012 when they won in Dubai.

Fiji, who had fifteens stars Leone Nakaraw and Josua Tuisova playing for them, looked set to increase their lead at the top of the world series standings with yet another series win, however Samoa fought back then Belgium Tuatagaloa made a miracle tackle with time up, as Fiji got withint inches of the line.

The remarkable thing about this win is that Fiji thrashed them 42-5 in the pool stages

“We wanted to get some pride back and we did that,” said Samoa coach Damian McGrath. “At half time I said if we get the first score we can get back into this. Self belief is a huge thing, and they believed in themselves.”

The story of the weekend for the home side was  superstar Virimi Vakatawa, who helped hosts France to third place overall. He continued his fine form, setting up and scoring tries with ease.

With just one round remaining, Fiji are still in pole position and look set to claim the overall title in London. South Africa, who won the Plate title, are 14 points behind.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 32 WEEKS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck...

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Canada Rugby welcomes 10,000 youngsters to...

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth -...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All