Fiji won their fourth Cup title of the season – Photo: World Rugby/Martin Seras Lima
– Fiji beat New Zealand in Cup final
– Ben Ryan’s side lead series with one round left
– NZ qualify for Olympics
– Pools drawn for final round in London
Fiji were outstanding in beating defending champions New Zealand 24-17 at the Glasgow Sevens, round eight of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Apisai Domolailai came off the bench to score two second half tries, with Fiji coming from 12-5 down at half time to secure their fourth Cup title of the season.
The win moves Fiji ahead of South Africa in the race for the HSBC Sevens World Series title, having earlier beaten the Blitzboks 15-0 in their quarter final.
Ben Ryan’s side head into round nine in London on 147 points, with South Africa, who beat Scotland 12-10 in the Plate final, second on 142 and New Zealand on 139. England (117) came third after beating USA 24-19 and increased their lead over Australia (101) in the battle for the fourth and final Olympic qualification spot.
“This is the most amount of wins – four – that we’ve done in one season,” said head coach Ryan. “We have put ourselves in a great position to win our first World Series in 10 years. We have a fit team and we want to win back-to-backs.”
Earlier New Zealand qualified for the Olympic Games, joining South Africa and Fiji who qualified on day one, ahead of their Cup quarter final.
“The World Series was important but qualification for the Olympics was the goal,” said New Zealand coach Sir Gordon Tietjens. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy to finish in that top four so to know we’re there is really pleasing and you can start seeing yourself going to Rio now.”
Following the pool draw for round four of the Series, which was made before the Cup final at Scotstoun Stadium, Fiji head Pool A in London and face Canada, Argentina and Samoa.
Glasgow runners-up New Zealand and defending series champions will play Australia, as well as Wales and Japan in Pool B.
Hosts England head Pool C as the third-placed team in Scotland and face Scotland, Kenya and Brazil. USA, meanwhile, will play South Africa, France and Portugal.
