Olympic Rugby Sevens 2016: Medal Winners and Scores After Thursday's Results
Fiji secured their first-ever Olympic gold medal with a dominant victory over Great Britain in the men's rugby sevens final at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, winning 43-7 on Thursday at the Deodoro Stadium.
The Fijians were better in every department, demonstrating an awe-inspiring style of rugby fans rarely see. They took the lead inside the opening minute and never looked to be in danger of loosening their firm grasp on the contest.
In the bronze-medal match, South Africa thrashed Japan, 54-14, scoring eight tries in an emphatic performance, with Rosko Specman notching a hat-trick.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here are the results from Thursday's contests:
| Semi-Final 1 | Fiji | 20-5 | Japan |
| Semi-Final 2 | Great Britain | 7-5 | South Africa |
| Bronze Medal | South Africa | 54-14 | Japan |
| Final | Fiji | 43-7 | Great Britain |
Recap
Just 55 seconds into the final, Fiji imposed themselves on Team GB, crossing over the line on the left wing through Osea Kolinisau.
Jerry Tuwai added another three minutes later after collecting a layoff on the right side and scampering away from danger to put his side in a commanding position.
It was too easy for the No. 1-ranked side, as Jasa Veremalua added another by the right touchline with three minutes remaining in the first half, helping Fiji take the score to 17-0.
Leone Nakarawa added his name to the scoresheet to make the score 22-0, but there was still time for another try as Fiji began to run amok. Vatemo Ravouvou was the next to tap over as the South Pacific side stretched their comprehensive lead.
Great Britain deserved their place in the final but were outclassed, outmuscled and outpaced by Fiji from start to finish.
Veremalua notched his brace in the second period after waltzing under the posts under no pressure. Team GB had no answer for their opponents' strength, pace and support play but did manage to get on the scoreboard through Dan Norton to make it 36-7.
Viliame Mata was awarded another try to add further gloss to the stunning performance as one of the world's smallest nations achieved unprecedented success and became Olympic champions.
In the bronze-medal clash, surprise package Japan were beaten by South Africa. Juan de Jongh crossed the line after just a matter of seconds to help put his country ahead 7-0.
The Blitzboks doubled their advantage soon after through Specman. The 27-year-old was released down the left flank and burst away from the opposition to tap over the try line.
But the Japanese were not to be humiliated in their final appearance in the tournament, as Yusaku Kuwazuru added a try before the half-time interval. But the seven-point gap would return to 14 before the break, as Specman added his second of the game.
Japan began the second period with the ideal response, heading under the posts after a 70-metre dash.
But that is where the joy would end for the Cherry Blossoms, as South Africa picked up their offensive discipline. Cecil Afrika added his name to the scoresheet twice in quick succession to put his country in a dominant position before Justin Geduld put the Blitzboks ahead 47-14.
Specman poured further misery onto the helpless Japanese as he added an eighth try of the evening in the dying moments, securing an emphatic 54-14 victory for South Africa against the plucky underdogs.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
