Women’s Bronze and Gold Medal Matches
Bronze Medal: Papua New Guinea 28 - 12 Samoa
Gold Medal: Australia 5 - 19 Fiji
In the Women’s play off Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Australia and Fiji were vying for medal contention, as they came out the top four in the two-day competition.The podium-finish matches featured great women’s rugby as Australia and Fiji contested for gold while Samoa and PNG played off for the bronze medal
The gold medal final was filled with great anticipation over the 14 minutes as both teams worked tirelessly to cross over each other’s try-line.
Fiji proved to be the better side as their defence held firm to concede their second try of the tournament to Australia, and scoring three of their own.
Proud Fijiana Women’s 7s Team Coach Saiasi Fuli said that he was impressed by the level of commitment by the team as they worked hard throughout the full game to kee,p their hopes in defending their Gold Medal, alive.
“The girls maintained their composure and stuck to the overall plan of coming to Samoa and defending the Gold Medal that was won in 2015.
“We knew that Australia is the outside influence in the setup of the pool and we just needed to double up our efforts and continue to work hard and apply the pressure to force them to make those mistakes.
“I think the girls are really just playing for pride and passion and continuing the journey of restoring women’s rugby in Fiji. That is the whole purpose of coming to Samoa and hats off to the girls for playing well throughout the tournament,” Fuli added.
Men’s Bronze and Gold Medal Matches
Bronze Medal: Tonga 19 - 10 Cook Islands
Gold Medal: Fiji 7 - 5 Samoa
After losing out in the Gold Medal match due to points differential with Samoa, Tonga was set to play the Cook Islands for the Bronze Medal final.
In what was expected to be a tough hit out, the Cook Islands just fell short in the end despite their efforts for a late comeback.
The Men’s Gold Medal Match was the clincher as home team Samoa were determined for a win over the defending Pacific Games Gold Medalists, Fiji.
It was a tough game that ended with only 2 points between them, but a match full of passion and pride at stake as both teams looked to come out on top.
Fiji Men’s Coach Gareth Baber said that the challenge for the team was to be in control both with and without the ball.
“We didn’t have a lot of ball but what we did was; we worked with each other especially in defending and that’s all about control and emotion.
“In the final we knew it was going to be tough against Samoa, and we knew it was going to be physical as well.
“We know when we play against Samoa we are going to get to that level but it’s all about control at the end of it and when we went down to the sin bins, we worked extremely hard to ensure the six did the job for the seven,” Baber added.
