Fiji won the Hong Kong 7s, France continues its resurgence, and the USA is doing just fine, thanks.

Fiji created history by securing a fifth consecutive title in Hong Kong with a 21-7 victory over France in the Cup final at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

In the Cup Final, Jerry Tuwai, who is the only current player to have played in all five of the finals, pulled the strings majestically while Aminiasi Tuimaba scored a brace and Vilimoni Botitu also crossed for a try.

After their silver medal in Vancouver, France continued their fine form by reaching their second successive Cup final in a season, something that they hadn't achieved before.

They started at pace, however an early knock-on handed Fiji possession back and Baber's outfit didn't need a second invitation to fly. The rest of the half belonged to them as the HSBC Player of the Final Tuimaba, and Botitu, combined to cross twice with each setting the other up.

After the break Fiji's 14-0 lead was tested when they went down to six players and France were awarded a penalty try. However, from 14-7, Fiji rallied and Tuimaba's second try ultimately ensured that history would be created in front of a sold-out crowd.

"It's a fantastic feeling and I'm sure that it will sink in over the next two or three days," said Fiji's head coach after the full-time whistle. "I think that all of this has been in the backdrop of what happened in Christchurch, obviously our hearts and our thoughts go out to all of those families and this is a dedication to them."

USA Mistakes Vs Fiji

The Eagles were their old selves again in winning the Cup Quarterfinal over South Africa, but had a tougher ask in the semis, taking on Fiji. 

As usual, it was a thrilling encounter. Two teams known for their ability to break open the game were in fact battling hard at the breakdown; both teams knew possession was key. Fiji scored early and put the Eagles under all sorts of pressure by coming up quickly on defense and challenging the USA to pass quickly.

When Martin Iosefo took a big hit and left the field, that spelled trouble for the Americans.

But coming on was Maceo Brown and he made a key play. With the ball being passed down the line he was rocked as he caught the ball. Somehow the Grand Canyon University grad managed to get a pass off to Carlin Isles, and that was that. The USA speedster beat three players to score his 7th try in the tournament. 

The Eagles, however, made an error right at the end of the first half Matai Leuta could have fed Isles for another shot but chose to go into contact. He was penalized for not releasing the ball, and Fiji Vili Botitu was in for a 14-7 lead.

That was a tough one to take and a tougher one came right after halftime. Down 21-7 the USA responded. Fiji was offside on the restart and from the penalty tap Kevon Williams took the tap, faked to everyone, and was in from 50. 21-14. But Fiji broke through and Jerry Tuwai set up Alasio Naduva and it was 26-14 with a minute to go.

Not enough time for the Eagles. Marcus Tupuola produced a nice run and an excellent catch-and-pass in contact to set up Isles, but time was up, and that was it, 26-19.

Super Subs Take 3rd

So on to the 3rd-4th game for the USA against Samoa. 

It took a long time for anyone to score, as both teams hit very hard and kept forcing errors. Some of the USA non-starters started this game and it was Williams who drew some attention and fed Brown for the opening try.

In making that pass, Williams paid for it, getting slammed to the ground right after he passed.

Then Tomasin tried to set up Isles and this was not a typical Isles effort. He juggled the ball and that allowed two Samoan tacklers to shadow him. Isles took them on, and dragged both just close enough that he was able to touch down on the line. It was perhaps one of his best.

Up 10-0 and with time up in the first hallf, the Eagles allowed a somewhat soft try to allow Samoa back into the game. 

It was a wild start to the second half. Isles was almost away; Samoa took the ball and was almost back the other way. Leuta stole the ball and eventually Samoa was pinged for a deliberate knock-on. Now down a man due to a yellow card, Samoa was now under pressure. 

Joe Schroeder came on as a sub and immediately found himself running right through the middle for a key try. That made it 17-5, and Tupuola scored quickly after that after a switch move between Williams and Tomasin. 

Samoa got one back, but that was it, 22-10.

The game was of significant import in that Folau Niua and Madison Hughes didn’t play at all. Isles, who set a record with nine tries in Hong Kong, was off early and Ben Pinkelman was, too. The only regular starters who played most of the game were Tomasin and Leuta. This was a win with Williams, Tupuola, Thompson, Schroeder, Ben Broselle,  and Brown at the forefront.

Spirits are high for the No. 1 team in the Walk of Fame. #HK7s | #EaglesUnited ?? pic.twitter.com/uJvR2rffGy

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) April 7, 2019

The Upshot

With a third-place finish, and with New Zealand not making the semis, the USA retains 1st in the World Series.

Fiji has bypassed New Zealand for 2nd, and the Eagles are seven clear of them, with the All Black Sevens five points further back.

Three tournaments remaining and Fiji is trending upward, but the Eagles are still in 1st, who would have thought.

As for the Olympic Qualification chase—being in the top four—the USA is in the best position, and has pretty much sewn that up. To not make it, the Eagles would have to crater in the final three events, and see Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa, and England overtake them. All four have to do that, and England, with 90 points, 40 behind the USA, would basically have to win all three remaining events.