Singapore Sevens: Last-gasp heroics see Fiji lead championship for first time | CNN

Singapore Sevens: Last-gasp heroics see Fiji lead championship for first time

By George Ramsay, CNN
2 minute read
Published 12:06 PM EDT, Sun April 29, 2018
Victory for South Africa and a fifth-place finish for Fiji saw the Blitzboks take the 2017-18 Sevens World Series title by just two points.
Paris, France —
Victory for South Africa and a fifth-place finish for Fiji saw the Blitzboks take the 2017-18 Sevens World Series title by just two points.
Steve Bardens/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A runner-up finish for Australia in Paris was enough to secure the overall women's title ahead of rivals New Zealand.
Paris, France —
A runner-up finish for Australia in Paris was enough to secure the overall women's title ahead of rivals New Zealand.
Steve Bardens/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Portia Woodman bagged two tries in the Paris final, which ended 33-7 in favor of the Black Ferns. Despite three tournament wins, however, they couldn't defend their championship title.
Paris, France —
Portia Woodman bagged two tries in the Paris final, which ended 33-7 in favor of the Black Ferns. Despite three tournament wins, however, they couldn't defend their championship title.
GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fiji's Josua Tuisova looks for an offload in the final of the London Sevens against South Africa. His side ran out <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F06%2F03%2Fsport%2Flondon-sevens-fiji-south-africa-rugby-intl-spt%2Findex.html">21-17 victors</a> to take control of the series.
London, England —
Fiji's Josua Tuisova looks for an offload in the final of the London Sevens against South Africa. His side ran out 21-17 victors to take control of the series.
Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
New Zealand's Black Ferns inflicted the heaviest ever series defeat on Australia in the final of the Canada Sevens, scoring eight tries in a 46-0 demolition of their rivals.
Langford, Canada —
New Zealand's Black Ferns inflicted the heaviest ever series defeat on Australia in the final of the Canada Sevens, scoring eight tries in a 46-0 demolition of their rivals.
DON MACKINNON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fiji moved to the top of the standings with a tense victory over Australia in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F04%2F29%2Fsport%2Ffiji-singapore-rugby-sevens-hsbc-sevens-world-series-australia-spt-intl%2Findex.html">Singapore</a>.
Singapore —
Fiji moved to the top of the standings with a tense victory over Australia in Singapore.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
New Zealand's Black Ferns backed up <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2018%2F04%2F15%2Fsport%2Fcommonwealth-games-2018-new-zealand-win-first-womens-rugby-sevens-gold-spt%2Findex.html">Commonwealth gold</a> with silverware in Japan after a 24-12 victory over France in final.
Kitakyushu, Japan —
New Zealand's Black Ferns backed up Commonwealth gold with silverware in Japan after a 24-12 victory over France in final.
Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Fiji made history in Hong Kong -- the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2018%2F04%2F06%2Fsport%2Fhong-kong-rugby-hsbc-sevens-world-series-fiji-spt-intl%2Findex.html">most famous and best-loved leg</a> of the Sevens World Series -- by winning a fourth consecutive title, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2018%2F04%2F08%2Fsport%2Ffiji-hong-kong-sevens-kenya-spt%2Findex.html">defeating Kenya 24-12</a> in the final.
Hong Kong —
Fiji made history in Hong Kong -- the most famous and best-loved leg of the Sevens World Series -- by winning a fourth consecutive title, defeating Kenya 24-12 in the final.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Japan gained a berth in next year's Sevens World Series with a 19-14 victory over Germany in the qualifier event.
Hong Kong —
Japan gained a berth in next year's Sevens World Series with a 19-14 victory over Germany in the qualifier event.
Keith Tsuji/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Fiji fans celebrate in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F03%2F12%2Fsport%2Fcanada-sevens-kenya-fiji-spt%2Findex.html">Vancouver</a> where their country secured its second win of the Sevens World Series.
Vancouver, Cananda —
Fiji fans celebrate in Vancouver where their country secured its second win of the Sevens World Series.
Ben Nelms/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Kenya was the tournament's surprise package. Playing in its first final since Singapore in 2016, Shujaa eventually went down 31-12 to Fiji.
Vancouver, Cananda —
Kenya was the tournament's surprise package. Playing in its first final since Singapore in 2016, Shujaa eventually went down 31-12 to Fiji.
DON MACKINNON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
There was an historic result in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F03%2F05%2Fsport%2Flas-vegas-usa-sevens-rugby-argentina-perry-baker-hsbc-world-series-intl%2Findex.html">Vegas</a> as the Eagles lifted the trophy for the first time on home soil with a 28-0 victory over Argentina in the final. It was just the second title USA have won, the first coming in London in 2015.
Las Vegas, USA —
There was an historic result in Vegas as the Eagles lifted the trophy for the first time on home soil with a 28-0 victory over Argentina in the final. It was just the second title USA have won, the first coming in London in 2015.
Brandon Magnus /Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Fiji overturned a first-half deficit against South Africa to <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fsport%2Fhamilton-rugby-sevens-fiji-south-africa%2Findex.html">claim a first title of the season</a> in Hamilton -- the first time the town has hosted a Sevens World Series tournament after the New Zealand leg was moved from Wellington.
Hamilton, New Zealand —
Fiji overturned a first-half deficit against South Africa to claim a first title of the season in Hamilton -- the first time the town has hosted a Sevens World Series tournament after the New Zealand leg was moved from Wellington.
MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Australia's women continued their storming start to the season <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2018%2F01%2F29%2Fsport%2Fsydney-australia-rugby-sevens-world-series%2Findex.html">in Sydney</a>. Tim Walsh's side became the first team ever to go a whole tournament without conceding a point.
Sydney, Australia —
Australia's women continued their storming start to the season in Sydney. Tim Walsh's side became the first team ever to go a whole tournament without conceding a point.
MARK EVANS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
There was more good news to come for home fans that weekend in Sydney. The men <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2018%2F01%2F29%2Fsport%2Fsydney-australia-rugby-sevens-world-series%2Findex.html">eased past South Africa 29-0</a> in the final, with Ben O'Donnell (pictured) grabbing a brace.
Sydney, Australia —
There was more good news to come for home fans that weekend in Sydney. The men eased past South Africa 29-0 in the final, with Ben O'Donnell (pictured) grabbing a brace.
Jason McCawley/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images for HSBC
The All Blacks claimed a first tournament victory since March 2016 in Cape Town, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2017%2F12%2F11%2Fsport%2Frugby-sevens-world-series-round-two-cape-town-new-zealand-haka%2Findex.html">toppling Argentina </a>in the final.
Cape Town, South Africa —
The All Blacks claimed a first tournament victory since March 2016 in Cape Town, toppling Argentina in the final.
RODGER BOSCH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Having finished second to New Zealand in last season's overall standings, Australia's women got their campaign off to winning ways by <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2017%2F12%2F04%2Fsport%2Frugby-sevens-world-series-dubai-round-one-south-africa%2Findex.html">overwhelming USA 34-0</a> in the opening tournament in Dubai.
Dubai, UAE —
Having finished second to New Zealand in last season's overall standings, Australia's women got their campaign off to winning ways by overwhelming USA 34-0 in the opening tournament in Dubai.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Last year's world champion South Africa started this season as they ended the last. The Blitzboks <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2017%2F12%2F04%2Fsport%2Frugby-sevens-world-series-dubai-round-one-south-africa%2Findex.html">saw off New Zealand 24-12</a> in the UAE to win the first piece of silverware up for grabs in the men's competition.
Dubai, UAE —
Last year's world champion South Africa started this season as they ended the last. The Blitzboks saw off New Zealand 24-12 in the UAE to win the first piece of silverware up for grabs in the men's competition.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Rugby Sevens World Series: Story of the season

Story highlights

Fiji 28-22 Australia

Dramatic finish seals Fiji's third straight series win

Fiji now tops the overall standings ahead of South Africa

CNN  — 

A dramatic late try in Singapore saw Fiji claim its fourth HSBC Sevens World Series trophy of the season after defeating Australia 28-22 in the final.

The result means Fiji, whose last world championship title came in 2016, leapfrog reigning champion South Africa to lead the overall standings for the first time this year.

Australia seemed to have snatched victory in Singapore after John Porch touched down with 24 seconds left on the clock. But there was time for a reply, and after his side regathered the restart, Alasio Sovita Naduva found his way over to steal it at the death.

It was a pulsating encounter that almost slipped away from Fiji after two quick Australian tries in the closing stages.

“I’m speechless,” said Fijian captain Jerry Tuwai.

“Australia are a very good side and took us to the wire. We gave everything for this final.

“To all the people in the stadium, thank you very much for the support and back home thank you very much for your prayers, support and belief in this young team. Winning this tournament will boost our morale going to London and Paris.”

Gold medalists New Zealand perform a haka or traditional Maori war dance.
Gold medalists New Zealand perform a haka or traditional Maori war dance.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
New Zealand players celebrate after defeating Fiji in the men's rugby sevens gold medal match at the Robina Stadium.
New Zealand players celebrate after defeating Fiji in the men's rugby sevens gold medal match at the Robina Stadium.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Scott Curry is the captain of the New Zealand sevens team, which beat Fiji 14-0.
Scott Curry is the captain of the New Zealand sevens team, which beat Fiji 14-0.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Regan Ware scored New Zealand's second try.
Regan Ware scored New Zealand's second try.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Curry takes the ball in a lineout during the final.
Curry takes the ball in a lineout during the final.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The New Zealand women's also won gold, beating hosts Australia to in the final. The two successful New Zealand teams are pictured together.
The New Zealand women's also won gold, beating hosts Australia to in the final. The two successful New Zealand teams are pictured together.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
South Africa had been dominant in their opening matches of the Games. Going undefeated, they beat Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia and only conceded five points on their way to the semifinals.
South Africa had been dominant in their opening matches of the Games. Going undefeated, they beat Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia and only conceded five points on their way to the semifinals.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
England qualified from Group B by beating host nation Australia, Samoa and Jamaica.
England qualified from Group B by beating host nation Australia, Samoa and Jamaica.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
New Zealand finished top of Group C, with wins against Canada, Kenya and Zambia taking them to the semifinals and a match against England for a chance to progress to the gold medal game.
New Zealand finished top of Group C, with wins against Canada, Kenya and Zambia taking them to the semifinals and a match against England for a chance to progress to the gold medal game.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Fiji ended Saturday as the highest scoring team to progress to the semifinal against South Africa. The Fijians defeated Wales, Uganda and Sri Lanka to finish top of Group D.
Fiji ended Saturday as the highest scoring team to progress to the semifinal against South Africa. The Fijians defeated Wales, Uganda and Sri Lanka to finish top of Group D.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Kenya quest for a medal was crushed after defeat by New Zealand. They finished third in group C behind the All Blacks and Canada.
Kenya quest for a medal was crushed after defeat by New Zealand. They finished third in group C behind the All Blacks and Canada.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Wales finished second in Group D behind Fiji who defeated them in the deciding match 21-17 in a close contest.
Wales finished second in Group D behind Fiji who defeated them in the deciding match 21-17 in a close contest.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Commonwealth Games 2018: Men's rugby sevens highlights

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‘Never write off Fiji’

Fiji’s previous triumphs this season have come in Hamilton, Vancouver and Hong Kong, but none were as hard-fought as the final here in Singapore.

After narrow victories over New Zealand and South Africa in the quarters and semis, two tries from Waisea Nacuqu and one from Tuwai put Fiji in control against Australia.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Scott Curry of New Zealand pushes away from the defence in the MenÕs Gold Medal Final match between Fiji and New Zealand during Rugby Sevens on day 11 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Robina Stadium on April 15, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Scott Curry of New Zealand pushes away from the defence in the MenÕs Gold Medal Final match between Fiji and New Zealand during Rugby Sevens on day 11 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Robina Stadium on April 15, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
video

Related video The Hong Kong Sevens and Commonwealth Games

Replies from Brandon Quinn and Porch, however, meant that Naduva’s last-gasp score was needed to settle the contest and hand Fiji a third consecutive World Series trophy.

“Awesome final at the Singapore Sevens,” tweeted Ben Ryan, who coached Fiji when the Pacific Islanders last won the world championship title.

“Brilliant effort from Australia but never ever write off Fiji if they have the ball with time up.”

An entertaining bronze final saw England edge past South Africa 26-24 to equal its best performance of the season so far. USA, meanwhile, claimed the Challenge Trophy after overcoming Canada 26-12.

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While Fiji currently leads the overall standings on 145 points, South Africa is hot on its heels on 141 to ensure a tense season finale is in order.

Just two tournaments remain in the 10-stop series, which resumes in London on June 2.