13 Mar 2017

Sport: Fiji thrashed by rampant England, slip to third

4:55 pm on 13 March 2017

The Fiji sevens side was brutally dumped out of the Vancouver World Series tournament by eventual winners England before recovering some pride by defeating the USA in the bronze medal playoff.

Fiji met England in the semi-finals of the tournament but always seemed to be on the back-foot, eventually being overpowered 40-7, with their only points coming via a consolation try by captain Osea Kolinisau in the dying minutes.

Fiji's Kalione Nasoko tries to beat the England defence

Fiji's Kalione Nasoko tries to beat the England defence Photo: World Rugby - Martin Seras Lima

The Fijians finished the day on a high, defeating the USA 28-24, albeit to take third place in Vancouver.

England went on to take out the tournament by beating series leaders South Africa 19-7 in the final.

The result means South Africa remain on top of the table on 126 points but England have leapfrogged Fiji into second place on 103, with the Pacific Islanders now three points back in third place.

Samoa are in 13th place on the series table after losing to Wales 19-12 in the Challenge Trophy Final, effectively leaving them with the wooden spoon among the 16 teams in Vancouver.

There are four rounds of the series remaining.

The next tournament will be in Hong Kong, April 7-9.

England win the Vancouver Sevens with South Africa in second place and Fiji third

England win the Vancouver Sevens with South Africa in second place and Fiji third Photo: World Rugby - Martin Seras Lima