Monday, March 25, 2013

Hong Kong Sevens 2013: brave Wales lose Final to Fiji

So close, so agonisingly close for Wales as they almost overcame hefty odds to beat favourites, Fiji, in their first HSBC world series final.
They led 19-0 at half-time but in a lung-bursting second period were undone by the brilliance of Fiji substitute Osea Kolinisau, whose hat-trick settled matters 26-19. It was gripping, rousing stuff under floodlights in a packed stadium. The 38th Hong Kong Sevens ended in style.
After the heroics of the Six Nations, it looked like being quite some week for Welsh rugby. Long-striding Cory Allen was a revelation, his two first-half tries ­seemingly setting his side up for a historic triumph.
But the Fijians are masters of the abbreviated game,claiming a record 14th title here after accounting for runaway series leaders New Zealand in the semi-final........The 19 points Wales received for finishing runners-up gives them a boost in the HSBC World Series rankings with three legs remaining in Japan, Glasgow and London.
I went to the Hong Kong Sevens years ago. It was the first time I became aware of Jonah Lomu. Maybe tickets for the Marriott London Sevens in May are in order?

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