Sunday 20th March 2005

England 19 Fiji 24

England gave their ‘home from home’ support a reason to be proud tonight despite losing to Fiji 19-24 in the semi final of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong.  In a dramatic match, which saw the lead change hands several times, England were unlucky, losing to Fiji in sudden death having drawn the match at full time 19 all.

Fiji, who have been in impressive form all tournament and are favourites for the title, scored first but a try from Ben Gollings equaled the scores and they remained tied at 7 all at the break.

Fiji then went 12 points ahead when Rawaqa and Vunibaka scored.  It was Tony Roques (London Irish) who gave England the come back they needed and a successful conversion by Gollings meant England only trailed by five points.

In the final few moments of the match it was captain Simon Amor (Gloucester) whose try took the scores level but Gollings’ conversion narrowly missed the posts to give the Fijian’s an extra chance through sudden death.

World Sevens legend Serevi, back with the Fijian team for the World Cup, crossed the line a minute into sudden death to force England out of the competition. 

England Sevens coach Mike Friday was disappointed but still proud of how the team performed against such tough opposition, "We performed well. We always knew it was going to be tough against the Fijians and that it was going to be a tight game. We had opportunities, but that's sevens rugby. It's the bounce of the ball and it didn't go our way today. But I'm proud of the guys, they performed valiantly."  

England Sevens captain Simon Amor said, "We're so disappointed. It's no consolation that we came close. We came here to win this tournament and anything else is a failure, so we're absolutely gutted. We could have won that game and we could have won this tournament, so we'll have to wait four years now."

Fiji went on to beat New Zealand in the final  29-19.

Scorers:

England – Tries: Ben Gollings, Tony Roques, Simon Amor

Conversions: Gollings (2)

Fiji – Tries: Rawaqa, Vunibaka, Bobo, Serevi

Conversions: Serevi (2)

Teams:

England – Tony Roques (London Irish), Pat Sanderson (Worcester Warriors),

Peter Richards (London Wasps), Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Gollings, Simon Amor, Captain (Gloucester), Richard Haughton (Saracens)

Reps: Rob Thirlby (Penzance & Newlyn), Geoff Appleford (London Irish), Neil Starling (Northampton Saints)

Reps not used: Henry Paul (Gloucester), Ugo Monye (NEC Harlequins)

Fiji – Waisale Serevi, Sireli Bobo, Vilimoni Delasau, Willian Ryder, Semisi Naevo, Apolosi Satala, Vilia Satala

Reps: Ifereimi Rawaqa, Jone Daunivucu, Marika Vunibaka

Reps not used: Nasoni Roko, Neumi Nanuku

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Ends.