The flashy Fijians outclassed Sri Lanka in their Hong Kong Sevens tussle with mammoth 56-0.
The Tuskers showed some resistance against the top tier Pacific Islanders in the initial few minutes of the game. Holding on to possession and with their opponents making errors at the breakdown the Tuskers showed some skill but were unsuccessful in making in-roads to converting the pressure to points.
The Fijians improvised on their game and played the Lankan’s on a platform of speed, which the Tuskers could not keep pace with. The Fijians let loose with “kicks-and-chases” and the Tuskers were reduced to spectators to the display of speed and agility.
The impressive Fijians went to the half recording a 21-Nil score line, with 3 converted tries courtesy of Joeli Lutumailagi, Osea Kolinisau and Vatemo Ravouvou.
The second half saw Fiji returning to ‘normal business” not allowing the Lankan’s even the minutest of leverage and ripped through the defense. The score board was disturbed continuously with Waisea Nacau, Samu Saqiwa (2) Apisai Domilailai and Samisoni Viriviri. All tries being successfully converted saw the Fijian’s scoring 25 points in total during the second half with no answer from the Tuskers.
The Pacific Islanders went about their campaign with the tact and finesse of a seasoned sevens team and outclassed their opponents completely. Lutumaillangi was the stand out performer for the Fijians handing out tries to his mates. For the Tuskers Dhanushka Ranjan with his defense and Srinath Suriyabandaran with his nippy runs were the playmakers.
Sri Lanka is expected to play Wales next in their group match. With the rain affected start the expected time of kick-off will be just after 2 p.m. Sri Lankan time.
