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Page last updated at 10:28 GMT, Sunday, 29 March 2009 11:28 UK

England fall to Fiji in HK Sevens

Rob Vickerman
Vickerman's try was not enough to prevent England from losing to Fiji

England were eliminated from the Hong Kong Sevens in the quarter-finals after a last-gasp try saw Fiji win 10-7.

Fiji struck first through Emosi Vucago but England hit back with a converted Rob Vickerman try to take the lead.

Pio Tuwai scored late on to give the Fijians victory. They went on to beat Kenya, who upset New Zealand, in the semis and South Africa in the final.

"I know this side can do better but we didn't keep the ball," said England coach Ben Ryan.

"We spilled out a couple of times at the breakdown and they put pressure on us there, we need to relax on the ball and we just didn't do that, we looked a little agitated.

"Fiji did well, they have had a pretty poor season so far and for them this is the Olympic Games. They put us under lots of pressure at the end we didn't look up we looked down.

"We have been really close to the perfect season but sevens is like that. We have made a huge jump over the last six months. I'm very disappointed that we haven't put ourselves in the top spot of the world rankings."

South Africa, who were tied with England at the top of the standings, beat Australia 24-10 to set up a semi-final with Samoa, who beat Argentina 15-12.

South Africa crushed Samoa 29-3 in the semis, and despite losing a thrilling final 26-24 to Fiji, they now lead the IRB World series with 84 points, with England second on 68.

Fiji (62) leapfrog New Zealand (60) into third place.

In the Plate quarter-finals, World Cup winners Wales fought back to overcome the USA 22-21, but Scotland had no answer to Tonga's power and pace as they went down 29-0.

But Wales were beaten 19-10 in the semi-finals by Canada, who lost to Tonga 14-12 in the Plate final.



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see also
Scotland reach Hong Kong quarters
28 Mar 09 |  Scottish
Roddy Grant Sevens column
25 Mar 09 |  Rugby Union
New Zealand win Hong Kong Sevens
30 Mar 08 |  Rugby Union


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