Fiji rout Sri Lanka - 45/0

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens:

Shamseer JALEEL reporting from Hong Kong

RUGBY: Fijian player Semisi Saukawa opened the flood gate of tries in the 31st Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse-Hong Kong Sevens against Sri Lanka as the Kings of sevens rugby outclassed the minnows by 45 points (5 Goals, 2 Tries) to nil at the Hong Kong stadium.

At “Lemons” Fiji led 26-0. Before this encounter, Sri Lanka had met Fiji only once in the International Rugby Board (IRB) tournament where the home team went down in Tokyo, Japan by 64-0.

The young Sri Lankan outfit ran hard while in attack but lacked the much needed defence where it was in tatters as the strong and fast Fijians created gaping holes. The Lankans looked the penetrative side with some daring moves but lacked the finishing touches. They were lucky to face the

Fijians first up as it was just a warm up affair for them. The score line in the end indicated good for the Sri Lankan teams confidence as they contained the much strong opposition below half a century score.

The Sri Lankans are expected to give a better account of themselves against Scotland and Portugal today in their remaining two group games.

It was Chamara Vithanage who gave a glimmer of hopes for the Lankans when he ran nearly 40 metres in the second half before passing the ball to Dhanushka Perera who was brought down before the try line.

Fijians scoring spree continued very consistently where they scored on four occasions in each half. In the initial half Saliya Kumara too missed a try scoring opportunity.

Referee - Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan) Scores on day one at the time going to press.

Fiji beat Sri Lanka 45-0, South Africa beat Chinese Taipei 59-0, Samoa beat China 49-5, New Zealand beat Italy 41-5, England beat Hong Kong 38-7, USA beat France 14-5, Scotland beat Portugal 31-7.

In the Women’s final New Zealand beat Australia 21-0. Meanwhile, in Happy Valley at the Hong Kong Football Grounds, Hong Kong Tens took place for the last two days.

Former All Blacks star Jonah Lomu represented the HSBC New Zealand Legends outfit. One of the leading referees from Sri Lanka Nizam Jamaldeen who officiated in this tournament was also seen in action at the Hong Kong sevens as touch judge.