Fiji's Remarkable Comeback Propels Them to the Top of the Sevens Standings!
In a thrilling turn of events at the Singapore Sevens, Fiji has surged to the top of the men's standings for the 2025-26 series, thanks to a stunning second-half comeback against France. This victory not only marks their second consecutive win in Singapore but also extends their lead over rivals New Zealand.
But here's where it gets truly dramatic: Fiji found themselves in a precarious position at halftime, trailing France by a significant 12-0. The French team, with tries from Jordan Sepho and Paulin Riva, seemed to be in control. However, the Fijian spirit, as their captain Jeremaia Matana highlighted, refused to yield. "In these kind of games, some people give up, some people have given up, but I would like to thank the boys for working hard and keeping the tempo," he stated, emphasizing the team's resilience.
This unwavering determination paid off handsomely in the second half. Fiji orchestrated a brilliant comeback, scoring three converted tries through Viwa Naduvalo, Kavekini Tanivanuakula, and Pilipo Bukayaro. This spectacular turnaround secured them a 21-12 victory over France, a crucial win that propelled them to 58 points in the overall standings, a comfortable four points ahead of second-placed New Zealand.
And this is the part most people miss: While Fiji celebrated their ascent, the battle for third place was equally intense. The All Blacks Sevens secured the bronze medal by narrowly defeating South Africa 14-12, thanks to a last-gasp try from Michael Manson. This win, however, couldn't overshadow Fiji's impressive performance.
In the women's final, New Zealand's women's team, the Black Ferns Sevens, delivered a truly dominant display, trouncing arch-rivals Australia 36-7. Seeking to avenge a previous loss, they established a commanding 24-0 halftime lead, with Jorja Miller scoring two tries and Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Mahina Paul adding one each. The second half saw further tries from Felix-Hotham and Katelyn Vahaakolo, with Australia managing only a late consolation try from Bienne Terita.
Meanwhile, Canada clinched third place in the women's tournament after a hard-fought 24-19 victory over the United States in extra time, courtesy of a try from Olivia Apps.
Now, all eyes turn to Perth, Australia, for the next exciting leg of the series next weekend.
What are your thoughts on Fiji's incredible comeback? Do you believe they can maintain their top position, or will New Zealand reclaim the lead? Share your predictions in the comments below!
© 2026 AFP
