New Zealand had to dig deep and go to extra time to repel outstanding challenge by Fiji in a sensational women’s sevens rugby semi-final today.
The New Zealanders eventually won 22-17 in extra time after a match that see-sawed throughout and featured some brilliant running and tackling.
New Zealand will now play France in tonight’s gold medal match after France beat Great Britain 26-19 in the other semi-final.
Captain Sarah Hirini’s team struck first with a try in the second minute to Gayle Broughton. But Fiji bounced back almost immediately when Vasiti Solikoviti scored a try, converted by Viniana Riwai. That made it 7-5 to Fiji, which is how it stayed until halftime.
It was obvious even then that far from being cowered by the reputation of New Zealand, the silver medallists in Rio five years ago, Fiji were focused on repeating the gold medal effort of their men’s sevens team three days ago.
In the second half Solikoviti scored again for Fiji in the second minute to stretch the lead to 12-5.
New Zealand hit straight back with a sizzling run down the right by speedster Portia Woodman, who made the most of limited space and was simply too fast for the Fijian defenders. Tyla Nathan-Wong’s conversion locked the scores at 12-12.
There was a desperate piece of defending by Nathan-Wong that stifled a certain Fijian runaway try, but that only balanced some equally breathtaking Fijian defending earlier when Ruby Tui had the ball dislodged from her grasp as she was about to dot down for a try.
At 6½ minutes of the second half, Stacey Fluhler latched on to a perfect pass from Kelly Brazier to score. Tyler-Wong’s conversion attempt, which would have sealed victory, hit the upright and bounced away, so it was 17-12 to New Zealand with just seconds remaining.
The game continued into the ninth minute of the half and finally Reapi Ulunisai gladdened Fijian hearts by bustling over in the corner.
So it was 17-17 at fulltime.
The teams regrouped with players clearly struggling for breath in the heat and after such a physical match.
After two minutes of sudden death extra time Hirini broke free after a tap penalty and passed to Broughton who forced her way over for match-winning try.
New Zealand coach Allan Bunting was visibly shaken afterwards.
“I’m drowning in my own sweat!” he joked. “You have to give so much credit to Fiji. They’ve been away from home a long time and there’s been a lot going on in their country. This game was about more than rugby. Fiji played with passion and desire and desperation and we certainly felt that. To put out a performance like that, their country should be really proud of them.”
Bunting conceded New Zealand were lucky to get the win. “We had to fight hard and we got there in the end. We train for that, but we are lucky to be in the final. These players have been in tight positions many times and find a way to win.
“They fight with something deep within their soul, but I wish they’d find an easier way!”
He said he felt his players were a little hesitant at times in contact situations. “We lost the ball a few times, once over the tryline. It’s the little moments that can decide a match, but it was also the pressure Fiji put on us.”
Bunting felt his players would be alright for the final, but said some of them had got through a lot of work – “Tyla Nathan-Wong had to do a lot of yards out there chasing them down, but she’ll be okay.”