2016 Rio Olympics – Rugby – Men’s Gold Medal Match – Fiji v Great Britain – Deodoro Stadium – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016.
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Ryan said it time and again – only gold would do for the expectant public in their Pacific island country of 900,000.
Once the final whistle blew, the proud nation collectively lost it, with it’s citizens literally dancing in the streets, hanging flags from buildings and celebrating with the unbridled joy of a country that finally won a gold medal after decades of trying.
After ensuring the victory that had been in the making since the International Olympic Committee in 2009 added Fiji’s national sport to the program for Rio de Janeiro, Kolinisau and his teammates huddled solemnly in the middle of the field and sang a hymn.
Britain barely got a look-in, such was seven-try Fiji’s dominance, but they will return home as runners-up after a competition that also included sevens powerhouses such as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
The second period saw Great Britain enjoy more of the ball, but Fiji were as brilliant in defence as they were in attack, hardly giving their opponents a sight of the line.
“Commentator Mark Braybrook called it “the biggest day in Fiji’s sporting history”, and he couldn’t have been more right”. And it was becoming a little to easy for the favourites as they made it 27-0 by half time with tries from Leone Nakarawa and Vatemo Ravouvou.
Asked what this win would mean to the people of Fiji, he had a simple demand.
Losses in the quarter-final (South Africa) and subsequent positional playoff match (Argentina) has seen them drop from medal contenders to bottom half finishers.
Jonathan McEvoy, writing in the Daily Mail, described Fiji as “dazzling” and that the final was “a total destruction”.
Since the introduction of the world sevens series in 1999, however, the team have often struggled with consistency, romping through one tournament only to crash out early in the next.
“The Fijian singing in the stands was soon in full swing”.
While the British team remained standing, the Fijian champions knelt down to receive their medals.
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Five of the seven starters helped themselves to tries before the interval, leading to a processional second-half outing for both sides.
