Ferns win Fiji Airways 7s 1st leg
New Zealand have won the first leg of the Fiji Airways Miniternational 7s after beating the Fiji 21-5 in the last round at Albert Park today.
Published by John Birch, September 23rd, 2023
2 minute read
The Black Ferns were the only unbeaten side over the two days at Albert Park, Suva, in a tournament that also included Australia and France as well as the Fijiana.
The Ferns were the only team to beat the Fijiana team, winning the opening game on Friday 22-5, while France beat Australia 28-12.
Round two saw big wins for Fiji and New Zealand against France and Australia, and both were also successful in the final round on Day 1.
Day two opened with two tight games, but again the Ferns and Fijiana held on to beat Australia and France respectively. The penultimate round saw France run the New Zealand close, but again they and the Fijians were too strong for France and Australia
So the tournament came down to the final round, but the Ferns - utilising their backline experience and scoring score 3 tries – were again on another level..
In the other match of the final round, France beat Australia 22-7.
The second leg of the Fiji Airways Mini 7s will be held at Churchill Park, Lautoka next Friday and Saturday.
Fiji 5-22 New Zealand; Australia 12-28 France; Fiji 29-7 France; Australia 12-28 New Zealand; Fiji 34-12 Australia; New Zealand 24-12 France; Fiji 17-12 France; Australia 7-10 New Zealand; Fiji 28-19 Australia; New Zealand 29-26 France; Fiji 5-21 New Zealand; Australia 7-22 France