Cape Town Sevens: Fiji wins as USA tops standings for first time | CNN

Cape Town Sevens: Fiji wins as USA tops standings for first time

2 minute read
Updated 6:26 AM EST, Mon December 10, 2018
USA defeated New Zealand 26-10 to win its first ever cup title, but there was reason to be cheerful for the Black Ferns, too. They won the overall series crown with 110 points -- 10 clear of the USA.
Biarritz, France —
USA defeated New Zealand 26-10 to win its first ever cup title, but there was reason to be cheerful for the Black Ferns, too. They won the overall series crown with 110 points -- 10 clear of the USA.
IROZ GAIZKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fiji backed up victory in London by wrapping up the overall series title in Paris a week later. The Pacific Islanders defeated New Zealand 35-24 in the French capital to seal their fourth overall crown.
Paris, France —
Fiji backed up victory in London by wrapping up the overall series title in Paris a week later. The Pacific Islanders defeated New Zealand 35-24 in the French capital to seal their fourth overall crown.
Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for HSBC
Fiji won back-to-back London Sevens titles for the first time by demolishing Australia 43-7. Gareth Baber's side moved to the top of the overall standings after ousting title rival USA in the semifinals.
London, UK —
Fiji won back-to-back London Sevens titles for the first time by demolishing Australia 43-7. Gareth Baber's side moved to the top of the overall standings after ousting title rival USA in the semifinals.
Warren Little/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The Black Ferns recorded their fourth title of the season in Langford, Canada, after beating Australia 21-17 in the final. Ruby Tui (pictured) made the tournament's <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FWorldRugby7s%2Fstatus%2F1127728606124412930" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dream Team</a>.
Langford, BC Canada —
The Black Ferns recorded their fourth title of the season in Langford, Canada, after beating Australia 21-17 in the final. Ruby Tui (pictured) made the tournament's Dream Team.
DON MACKINNON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A last-gasp try saw Canada defeat England 7-5 to win its first title of the season in Japan. It was also the first time ever that neither Australia and New Zealand featured in the final four of a World Rugby Sevens Series tournament. The Black Ferns fell to the USA, while Australia was beaten by England.
Kitakyushu, Japan —
A last-gasp try saw Canada defeat England 7-5 to win its first title of the season in Japan. It was also the first time ever that neither Australia and New Zealand featured in the final four of a World Rugby Sevens Series tournament. The Black Ferns fell to the USA, while Australia was beaten by England.
Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
South Africa recorded a remarkable comeback in Singapore to defeat Fiji 20-19 having trailed 19-0 in the final.
Singapore —
South Africa recorded a remarkable comeback in Singapore to defeat Fiji 20-19 having trailed 19-0 in the final.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fiji proved that its love for the Hong Kong Sevens -- the series' showpiece tournament -- is as strong as ever. The Pacific Islanders defeated France to win the title for the fifth straight time. The players are pictured lifting a ball boy in the air before the start of the final.
Hong Kong —
Fiji proved that its love for the Hong Kong Sevens -- the series' showpiece tournament -- is as strong as ever. The Pacific Islanders defeated France to win the title for the fifth straight time. The players are pictured lifting a ball boy in the air before the start of the final.
ISAAC LAWRENCE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Ireland earned core team status in next season's series after defeating host Hong Kong 28-7 in the final of the qualifier event.
Hong Kong —
Meanwhile, Ireland earned core team status in next season's series after defeating host Hong Kong 28-7 in the final of the qualifier event.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
South Africa overcame France 21-12 to win its first title of the season. The World Series' defending champion saw off Argentina and Fiji in the knockout stages before outscoring Les Bleus by three tries to two in the final in Vancouver.
Vancouver, Canada —
South Africa overcame France 21-12 to win its first title of the season. The World Series' defending champion saw off Argentina and Fiji in the knockout stages before outscoring Les Bleus by three tries to two in the final in Vancouver.
Rich Lam/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
USA's trophy drought finally came to an end as the Eagles secured back-to-back titles in Las Vegas, cementing their position at the top of the overall standings midway through the season. A comfortable 27-0 victory over Samoa handed USA the title.
Las Vegas, USA —
USA's trophy drought finally came to an end as the Eagles secured back-to-back titles in Las Vegas, cementing their position at the top of the overall standings midway through the season. A comfortable 27-0 victory over Samoa handed USA the title.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
The All Blacks Sevens secured their second title of the season after defeating USA in the final in Sydney.
Sydney, Australia —
The All Blacks Sevens secured their second title of the season after defeating USA in the final in Sydney.
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
That added to the Black Ferns' victory to see New Zealand complete the double in Australia.
Sydney, Australia —
That added to the Black Ferns' victory to see New Zealand complete the double in Australia.
Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Fiji secured back-to-back victories on the World Series after a thumping 38-0 victory over the USA. Jerry Tuwai crossed twice in the final.
Hamilton, New Zealand —
Fiji secured back-to-back victories on the World Series after a thumping 38-0 victory over the USA. Jerry Tuwai crossed twice in the final.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Fijian players huddle after defeating USA to record their first win of the season in Cape Town.
Cape Town, South Africa —
Fijian players huddle after defeating USA to record their first win of the season in Cape Town.
Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
New Zealand players perform the haka after winning the Dubai Sevens title by defeating USA.
Dubai, UAE —
New Zealand players perform the haka after winning the Dubai Sevens title by defeating USA.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A 26-14 victory over Canada in the women's final meant New Zealand did the double in Dubai.
Dubai, UAE —
A 26-14 victory over Canada in the women's final meant New Zealand did the double in Dubai.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
New Zealand's Black Ferns started the season is style by winning the Glendale Sevens, a new tournament for the 2018-19 season.
Glendale, Colorado —
New Zealand's Black Ferns started the season is style by winning the Glendale Sevens, a new tournament for the 2018-19 season.
CHET STRANGE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
World Rugby Sevens Series 2018-19: The story of the season

Story highlights

Fiji beats USA 29-15 in Cape Town final

Fiji's first title in South Africa since 2005

Eagles top overall standings

CNN  — 

Fiji won its first World Rugby Sevens Series title of the season in Cape Town with a 29-15 victory over USA Sunday.

It was Fiji’s first victory on South African soil since 2005 and comfortably the nation’s best showing in Cape Town having finished fifth in the two previous editions of the tournament.

The USA was appearing in back-to-back finals for the first time ever having lost out to New Zealand in Dubai. But despite the defeat, the Eagles climbed to the top of the overall standings for the first time, two weeks into the season.

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Tries from captain Kalione Nasoko, Vilimoni Botitu and Sevuloni Mocenacagi gave Fiji a 17-0 lead at halftime in the final.

Nasoko’s second after the break furthered the Pacific Islanders’ advantage, while Botitu, named player of the final, also completed his brace in the second period.

Two tries from Ben Pinkelman and one from Carlin Isles gave the Eagles some hope, but Fiji were too strong.

Over 100,000 fans attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.
Over 100,000 fans attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The World Rugby Sevens Series will have another round for the women's competition in 2019 -- in Glendale, Colorado.
The World Rugby Sevens Series will have another round for the women's competition in 2019 -- in Glendale, Colorado.
MARK EVANS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The men's series kicks off at the end of November in Dubai.
The men's series kicks off at the end of November in Dubai.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The next stop is Cape Town. South Africa is the defending champion after pipping Fiji for the title in the 10-round series.
The next stop is Cape Town. South Africa is the defending champion after pipping Fiji for the title in the 10-round series.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The event then moves to Hamilton in New Zealand.
The event then moves to Hamilton in New Zealand.
Fiona Goodall/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Australia is the defending women's champion.
Australia is the defending women's champion.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
The Las Vegas and Hong Kong legs are the only three-day events.
The Las Vegas and Hong Kong legs are the only three-day events.
Brandon Magnus /Getty Images North America/Getty Images
In May, the women's tour arrives in Langford, Canada.
In May, the women's tour arrives in Langford, Canada.
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The Hong Kong sevens has established a reputation for its vibrant fan atmosphere.
The Hong Kong sevens has established a reputation for its vibrant fan atmosphere.
Power Sport Images/Getty Images for HSBC
Singapore's National Stadium has a 55,000 capacity.
Singapore's National Stadium has a 55,000 capacity.
Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
The 2019 series also welcomes Japan, who secured a place by winning the Hong Kong qualifier in April.
The 2019 series also welcomes Japan, who secured a place by winning the Hong Kong qualifier in April.
David Rogers/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
The penultimate destination is Twickenham in London.
The penultimate destination is Twickenham in London.
Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The series comes to a close for both men and women in Paris, France.
The series comes to a close for both men and women in Paris, France.
ISAAC LAWRENCE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Rugby sevens destinations through the eyes of fans

“It’s been a long time coming, for the Fijians to win in Cape Town,” said coach Gareth Baber. “We were disappointed last week [in Dubai] that we didn’t manage to perform to the level that we’ve done this week.

“It makes me most proud that these players have done everything for their families back home and the country of Fiji. It’s great.

READ: New Zealand wins first title in Dubai since 2009

“Fijian fans are everywhere in the world, wherever we travel, and we say a big thank you to all those who make a big effort to come and support us.”

Home favorite South Africa, sporting a special jersey in tribute to former President Nelson Mandela, finished third after defeating New Zealand 10-5 in the bronze medal match, while England defeated Spain to take fifth.

The results in Cape Town mean just three points separate USA, New Zealand, and Fiji at the top of the overall standings.

The Series resumes in Auckland, New Zealand on January 26.