Fiji’s team phase for a group photograph after winning the men’s rugby sevens gold medal match against Britain at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016.
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The Pacific Islanders put on a masterclass of sevens rugby to demolish Great Britain 43-7 to claim their nation’s first ever medal at an Olympic Games.
Fijians celebrate the victory of their Sevens rugby team against Britain in the final at the Rio Olympics, inside ANZ stadium in Suva on August 12, 2016.
“I’m at a loss of words, the boys were on another scale of phenomenal”.
And while they were being tempted by the McDonald’s set up inside the Olympic Village, the players kept their focus and now will get their just desserts (probably as part of a combo meal).
“I’m very proud of the way the boys played over the past three days”, said Japan forward Lomano Lemeki.
Fiji, who now hold the world series title, were runaway winners by a 43-7 scoreline in South America to claim the nation’s first ever Olympic medal.
Knowing that Ryan is now possibly planning to move on from his Fiji role and back into 15-man rugby, Bainimarama jokingly played down the Englishman’s role, but could not hide his delight.
He strongly believes the importance of Tier One nations helping Pacific Island teams as far as fifteens rugby is concerned.
The outstanding Kolinisau got his side on the scoreboard, riding Tom Mitchell’s tackle to touch down in the corner.
Tries by inspirational captain Osea Kolinisau, Jerry Tuwai, Jasa Veremalua, Leone Nakarawa and Vatemo Ravouvou gave the Fijians a seemingly unassailable 29-0 lead at half-time. Fiji were dazzling and went on to wrap victory up with Josua Tuisova going over. “All the (IOC) people I’ve spoken to have been nothing but encouraging”.
Viliame Mata rubbed salt into the wounds with a seventh final try to the delight of the partisan crowd that included International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and Princess Anne. “Untouchable really in certain aspects of the game”.
Deacon says it’s a dream four years in the making for the tiny island, “to win gold first time there, it’s massive for Fiji, it’s massive for Fiji rugby and it’s massive for rugby”.
Their hopes of having a bronze medal to show for their giant-killing exploits were crushed by South Africa, who claimed the final podium place when they ran out 54-14 winners in a similarly one-sided third-place decider.
He has introduced his team to lean meats and salads, dropped carbohydrates, worked hard on their fitness, banned mobile phones -including his own – before and during tournaments, and cut down on their drinking. “It’s not often that Japan ranks higher than Australia and New Zealand at rugby, so that’s a big plus”.
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Davies has enjoyed every minute of his Olympic experience in Rio – and to cap it all off with a silver medal is a pleasant surprise for some.
