By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist in Paris
France has claimed their first Olympic Games sevens rugby gold medal with a 28-7 win over Fiji at the Stade de France
Star French player Antoine Dupont scored two late second half tries to help the side create history in front of a partisan 69,000 crowd.
Fiji, who were chasing a three-peat attempt at the Paris Olympics, paid the price for giving away critical penalties in the second spell as France took control.
Fiji’s Josaia Raisuqe said it was a good final, but Fiji made some mistakes.
“Maybe because [France] were playing on their home soil, it was a special motivation for them. But we must just keep on going.
“We gave our best in this final. But when it comes to the end, one is going to win and one is going to lose, so we accept that.”
He said Fiji’s medal is silver but “still it is important to me”.
‘Silver on my neck’
“Maybe we are going to come back in the next Olympics and we will give everything.
“I have silver on my neck.
“My family and country is happy now. My mum and dad brought me into this sport and I am thankful for that.”
The Fijians, who claimed the gold at the both the 2016 and 2020 Games, started the game with a Josefa Talacolo try.
But France responded through Jefferson-Lee Joseph and the two teams were tied 7-all at halftime.
Fijian captain Jerry Tuwai had to be content with winning his first silver medal, having won two previous gold medals in Brazil and Japan.
But he had not been in the team earlier in the sevens season.
‘Hard when left out’
“It was very hard when I was left out but I always had hope that I could play another Olympic Games and it happened,” he said.
“I was coming for the gold but it wasn’t to be. What can you say?
“My first Olympics (Rio 2016) was a real surprise to me because it was the first time for rugby at the Olympics.
“The second was better and this one was better still, even though I didn’t win gold with my teammates and for my country. I am grateful I could come this far.”
Head coach Osea Kolinisau was also hoping to become the first sevens rugby coach to have won an Olympic gold medal as a player and coach, having been captain when Fiji first kissed gold in Brazil in 2016.
France, with former Test captain Dupont leading their charge in the second half, had their fans cheering early when play resumed for the second spell, running down the flank to set up Aaron Grandidier for their first try.
Then it was Dupont who came to the front for his country, claiming his double and shutting Fiji out.
Fiji did not have much possession in the second half as France applied pressure and played rushed defence to disrupt the defending champions.
Fiji sailed through semifinal
Fiji sailed through to their third final with an outstanding display of flair and skills, beating Australia 31-7. The two teams were 7-all at halftime.
The Aussies managed to score first following a Fiji mistake.
Joji Nasova replied with a length of the field try when he raced away from close to his tryline.
France came from behind to beat South Africa 19-5.
It was a tight affair with both teams failing to score any points in the first half.
The South Africans were the first to score after the break before the hosts answered with three successive tries.
South Africa defeated Australia in the bronze medal final to claim their second Olympic Games bronze, with a 26-19 win.
In the other play-offs, New Zealand finished fifth, defeating Ireland 17-7.
Argentina hammered USA 19-0 to claim seventh spot, Kenya finished ninth beating Samoa 10-5 and Uruguay ended up 11th with a 21-10 win over Japan.
The women’s competition kicks-off on Monday morning (NZ time), with medal finals scheduled for Wednesday.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
