10 years on: Remembering Fiji’s historic gold at Rio Olympics

It’s been 10 years since one of the most famous days in rugby sevens history, when Fiji defeated Great Britain 43-7 to win Olympic gold in Rio. The 2016 Rio Summer Games marked the return of rugby union to the Olympic stage, and the first time sevens had been on show.

Rugby had been held at the Olympics four times before, with the USA going back-to-back with gold medals in 1920 and 1924, and France collected silver on those two occasions. But the sport didn’t return to the Olympics, in any format, for more than 90 years.

Australia won the Olympic gold medal with a 24-17 win over traditional rivals New Zealand, with co-captains Shannon Parry and Sharnie Smale (nee Williams) leading the side. Charlotte Caslick scored a pivotal second-half try as the Aussies secured the result on August 8, 2016.

The 2016 Olympic ‘golden girls’ assembled at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of that success. August 11 then marked the 10-year anniversary of Fiji winning the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.

That was also Fiji’s first Olympic medal of any colour, with legendary sevens coach Ben Ryan and captain Osea Kolinisau leading the way. Kolinisau is now the head coach the Fiji men’s sevens side, who have claimed one more gold and a silver at the two Games since Rio.

Fiji overcame arch-rivals New Zealand 12-7 in a thrilling quarter-final, setting up an intriguing semi-final against Japan, who had beaten France. Japan beat France by a five-point margin, which saw them fight it out for a spot in the big dance.

On the other side of the draw, Great Britain gave it absolutely everything as they defeated Argentina 5-0. South Africa were the other team bound for the semi-finals, having overcome a determined Australian side 22-5.

Fiji claimed a 15-point triumph over Japan, securing their spot on the podium. GB were also on their way to the gold medal match after hanging on for a 7-5 victory against South Africa, who went on to secure bronze.

The gold medal match was one-way traffic.

Kolinisau opened the scoring in the first minute, before Fiji Sevens great Jerry Tuwai added to the team’s lead soon after. Jasa Veremalua, Leone Nakarawa, Vatemo Ravouvou, Josua Tuisova and Villame Mata all crossed for tries in a relentless 43-point blitz.

GB did score seven points of their own, with prolific try-scorer Dan Noron touching down. But there was no denying Fiji on one of the most memorable days not just for Fiji, but for the entire sport of rugby sevens.

“Our performances speak of how good the coach is, and we’ve been blessed he chose to come and coach Fiji, and set things straight with the boys, and bring out the real Fiji,” Kolinisau said.

“For years, we’ve been trying to get back the Fijian flair, and what Ben did is bring that out, and a lot of consistency that was lacking in our game.”