Tokyo 2020 - Defending champions Fiji cruise past Great Britain in Rio 2016 final rematch to finish top of Pool B

ByHarry Latham Coyle

Updated 27/07/2021 at 03:28 GMT

Fiji looked in ominous form in dispatching potential medallists Great Britain. Three unanswered first-half tries powered the Fijian side into a 19-0 advantage at the interval as Tony Roques' side struggled to cope with an inspired Fiji's offloading game. It was an emphatic showing from Fiji as they bid to defend the title they secured five years ago in Brazil.

Defending Olympic rugby sevens champions Fiji looked in ominous form as they cruised past Great Britain at Tokyo 2020.

In a rematch of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 final, five Fijian tries powered Gareth Baber's side to a 33-7 victory that secured top spot in Pool B.

It was a statement performance from the Pacific Islanders and a first sign of their top form at these Games.

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Great Britain had kept both Canada and Japan scoreless on the first day of competition at Tokyo Stadium, but struggled to combat Fiji's typically creative offloading game.

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Individual errors also cost Tony Roques' side, who also lacked power carriers to combat the Fijian defensive intensity.

Asaeli Tuivuaka started the scoring two and a half minutes into the Pool B clash with Sireli Maqala crossing soon after.

And when Jiuta Wainiqolo, one of this brilliant Fijian squad's new stars, burst away down the right-hand side to score a brilliant long-range solo score, the lead had swelled to 19 on half-time.

An error from Great Britain deep in their own 22 allowed Tuivuaka to pounce and score his second soon after the restart to all but put the game out of sight.

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While Ben Harris scored a second-half consolation, Aminiasi Tuimamba completed the scoring as the full-time hooter blared, unselfishly allowed a clear run for the line by Sireli Maqala after the youngster had charged down a desperate fly-hack by Team GB.

Great Britain, captained by Tom Mitchell, again took a knee before the start of the fixture.

The result means that Fiji finish top of the pool with maximum points. Baber's side will play a dangerous Australian side in the last eight.

Great Britain join them in the quarter-finals having finished second in Pool B, and face a tricky encounter against the jet-heeled USA side, coached by former England Sevens head coach Mike Friday.

Ireland narrowly missed out on qualification for the knockout rounds having failed to beat Kenya by the required seven points in their final pool fixture.

Their 12-7 win meant the final place in the quarter-finals went to Canada, who will play Pool A winners New Zealand.

The other quarter-final sees an impressive Argentina up against South Africa.

The Blitzboks' coach Neil Powell has been guiding the team virtually while in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.

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