It was a dramatic finish that had fans on the edge of their seats. With the score tied at 17-17 and the clock winding down, Fiji’s Vuiviawa Naduvalo made a stunning 70-meter sprint to score a last-minute try, securing a 19-17 win over France. This electrifying moment propelled Fiji’s Men’s 7s team into the semi-finals of the HSBC Dubai 7s, where they will face Argentina in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.
For Fiji, the victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, while France suffered a heartbreaking loss after a remarkable second-half comeback. The excitement didn’t end there, as the other quarter-finals were equally thrilling. Argentina narrowly defeated Australia 22-20, Spain triumphed 19-14 over Great Britain, and New Zealand overcame South Africa 24-17.
The Quarter-Finals: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The first quarter-final between Fiji and France was a nail-biter. France struck first, with Liam Delamare opening the scoring, but Fiji quickly answered with two tries—one from Kavekini Tanivanuakula and another from Filipe Sauturaga—to take a 14-5 lead into halftime.
In the second half, France surged ahead, with Jordan Sepho and Victor Hannoun both crossing the line to give them a 17-14 lead. It seemed as if the momentum had shifted, but Fiji refused to back down. With time running out, Naduvalo’s decisive run sealed the win, sending Fiji to the semi-finals to face a formidable Argentina side.
Argentina’s victory over Australia was another thrilling encounter, with Argentina emerging victorious 22-20 in a tightly contested match. Spain also secured a narrow win, edging past Great Britain 19-14. Meanwhile, New Zealand continued their dominant form, defeating South Africa 24-17, setting up an exciting semi-final clash with Spain.
