Rugby Sevens: Fiji 'running hot' in Hamilton, USA undergoes third straight final defeat

Three tournaments, 3 finals, but still no trophy for the USA.
It was once again a firing Fijian side that thwarted the Eagles in the showpiece game as the rugby sevens circuit came around Hamilton, New Zealand.

Despite an emphatic 38-0 loss in Sunday's final, Mike Friday's side can still remember on what is comfortably the absolute ever come out to a season for the USA, which reached its third consecutive final courtesy of hard-fought wins through Scotland and New Zealand in the knockout stages at Hamilton.

The result signifies the two finalists now share the spoils at the highly rated of the overall rankings on 57 points, with the All Blacks third on 54.

Fiji proved excellent value during the tournament, showcasing trademark capability, flair, and speed on the alternative to backing up the victory secured in Cape Town at the closing of last year.

The Pacific Islanders went relatively untroubled in the later stages at Hamilton, defeating Canada and South Africa in the quarters and semis respectively before a six-try humbling of the USA.

"It was evidently very specific," mentioned head educator Gareth Baber, reflecting on his side's back-to-back victories in the World Series.

"I wish to tell a immense thank you to all the Fijian fans. They absolutely lifted the team today and we appreciate everything you've done for us."

Jerry Tuwai and Alasio Naduva both bagged braces in the final, while Waisea Nacuqu and Aminiasi Tuimaba scored a try each.

For the USA, meanwhile, the wait for a first piece of silverware since March last year goes.

"We are dissatisfied to lose again and whilst we can take a couple of comfort from making our third consecutive final and are illustrating a consistency in what we are doing, we wish to win cups and that hunger will drive us on to be better," head educator Mike Friday advised the USA Rugby website.

"We do have to congratulate Fiji who were the better team and deserved to win the cup. They were running hot the entire game in what was an electric atmosphere."

Home favorite New Zealand defeated South Africa in the third-place play-off to take the bronze medal at Hamilton, while England suffered an early exit at the group stages but recovered to lift the Challenge Trophy, defeating Kenya in the final.