Fiji were crowned the first men’s Olympic sevens champions on Thursday after crushing Great Britain 43-7 in the final of the inaugural tournament at Rio 2016.
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A Fiji fan celebrates his country’s gold medal victory over Britain in the mens rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016.
Ryan was left disillusioned with the game after he was sacked as England sevens coach after seven years in charge and was grateful to receive a quick offer from Fiji to take over its program where he said he rediscovered his fire.
In a breathtaking display of power rugby, the Fijians ran in five tries to take a 29-0 lead at halftime before taking their collective foot of the gas a little and adding only two more after the break.
“I’m at a loss of words, the boys were on another scale of phenomenal”.
Fiji coach Ben Ryan said sevens was flawless for a huge global TV audience – fast and furious with the ball nearly always moving.
“They’re one of the best there is”.
“I feel very lucky that I’m in charge of such an unbelievable group of athletes with a country behind us that’s so passionate about rugby sevens”, he said.
“We gear up for that for Tokyo, we could have started our Olympic journey in London, could have filled Twickenham twice a day for sure, but the Olympics is a development play for us so we’re happy to be here in Rio”, he said. “They’ve won the world series for the last two years and now they’ve added an Olympic gold medal so credit to them, they had an absolute blinder”.
In a sevens masterclass, the Fijians avoided contact and the long-pass game, putting faith in Ryan’s “no reward without risk” gameplan of off-loading to keep possession. Captain Osea Kolinisau was the first over in the corner.
Jerry Tuwai followed soon after with Britain’s defence failing to cope with the Pacific islanders’ off-loading brilliance.
To show their respect and their gratitude, the rugby players left the British Princess speechless by kneeling respectfully. “Very special to have that and I think it’s still sinking in for a lot of people really that a tiny island of Fiji are able to produce gold medals”.
It’s the Pacific nation’s first Olympic medal, and it’s easy to see how much it means to the team.
“That is generally because small children and babies were put in front of the bus, so we had to stop, get out and take photos”.
“Credit to Fiji. They have played an absolute blinder in that final”. Rugby sevens certainly grabbed attention in its debut at the Olympic Games.
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Fiji players and staff huddle as they win gold after the Men’s Rugby Sevens. Britain and South Africa picked up the silver and bronze, with Japan finishing a way-beyond-expectations fourth.
