Since then, the Fijians have won the last two world series and in Rio they produced a string of sevens masterclasses, going through the tournament unbeaten to claim their country’s first Olympic medal.
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And it was Ryan who held the upper hand, with Fiji producing a breathtaking display to win 43-7. United States of America needed a win, or a draw or a loss by fewer than five points against Fiji to reach the quarter-finals at the expense of New Zealand, but missed out by one kick.
Rugby returned to the Olympics this year for the first time since 1924.
Rio has also embraced the fancy-dress, carnival atmosphere seen at many sevens tournaments, with broad-chested men in cropped dresses and fairy wings swilling beer while taking selfies with players a common sight around the venue.
“It was in our prep before each game, Hong Kong is [also] a three-day tournament, in how we approach things, how we got over jet lag, nutritional strategies”.
Dan Norton scored a late consolation try but unfortunately it wasn’t to be for the rugby sevens team in Rio.
The bronze medal match preceding the final perhaps set the tone as South Africa hammered Japan 54-14.
Captain Osea Kolinisau, gold medal around his neck, admitted he still didn’t believe it was real: “It’s a massive achievement to get a first medal for your country – I told the boys on the podium, ‘Is this really happening, are we really gold medal winners?” The host nation did well enough in the women’s ranks to qualify a Brazilian team for next year’s world series.
World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper said fan engagement as well as spectator numbers and broadcast figures would the main criteria judged by the International Olympic Committee, at an Olympics where some venues have been marred by low turnout.
“It’s a massive achievement to get a first medal for your country, especially a gold medal”, said Kolinisau, the most-experienced Fijian ever on the worldwide sevens circuit. So the impetus is on attacking rugby, good fodder for the highlight reels.
“If you think about the semifinals, there were countries from Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa”, Beaumont said.
“Hopefully we’ve earned the right to be a permanent sport and we’ll be trying like mad to retain our status”.
World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said the attendances picked up after the 15,000-seat stadium was only half full on the first of six days of competition. “That’s punching above most of the sports here”.
As far as Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is concerned, rugby has earned its place at the Olympics.
Fijian players cried, said prayers of thanks and sung a hymn together in magic scenes.
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For the tiny nation where rugby is a religion, this was the fulfilment of a dream that had been building since the sport was accepted back in the Games in 2009.
