Fiji make statement against two-time SVNS Perth champions Argentina

HSBC SVNS Series leaders Fiji have delivered a statement performance in their opening match of the weekend in Perth, running away with a commanding 26-10 win over two-time defending champions Argentina at HBF Park.

Argentina sit in sixth place on the overall standings after SVNS Singapore, with their best result of the season a runners-up finish in Cape Town. Perth is the fourth stop on the six-leg SVNS 1 calendar, marking the second half of the season.

Fiji claimed top spot on the ladder by winning the Cup Final in Singapore 21-12 against France. The Fijians have a chance to extend their gap between them and second, but they’ll need to make history in Perth if that’s going to happen.

This is the third time that Perth has hosted a SVNS Series stop, with Fiji failing to finish on the podium at those events. But Fiji have brought their A-game to Western Australia, with Terio Veilawa inspiring a 26-point blitz against a star-studded Argentina side.

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Pedro De Haro and Santino Zangara helped Los Pumas Sevens take control during the first half with a try each. It was 10-0 in favour of Argentina five minutes into the contest, but Fiji would ultimately take a lead into the break, courtesy of Veilawa.

Veilawa was impressive last weekend in Singapore, and the experienced playmaker carried that form into SVNS Perth. The 31-year-old crossed for a rapid double just before the break, seeing Fiji take a four-point lead into half-time.

While a forward pass saw the TMO rule out an early second-term try for Fiji, they still ended up piling on the points during a dominant half. George Bose powered over for a five-pointer just inside the right sideline, and Manueli Maisamoa crossed for another score shortly after.

Argentina have only ever lost one other match at SVNS Perth, which was during pool play at last season’s tournament, but they’re now in a battle to make the semi-finals. South Africa and Spain, who were the top two sides at last season’s World Championship, are also in Pool A.

The Blitzboks were disappointed with their fourth-place finish in Singapore, but they’ve bounced back with an impressive 33-14 win against Spain. RugbyPass SVNS Series MVP contender Shilton van Wyk raced away for the opener, with the Boks scoring five tries to two.

France have made the semi-finals at all three SVNS legs this season, leading Fiji for about 10 minutes in last weekend’s Singapore Cup Final. Les Blues Sevens are off to a winning start under the Perth sun, securing a 36-10 victory against Great Britain.

In the other men’s fixture during the first session, Australia claimed their first victory of the season against rivals New Zealand. Ben Dowling scored one and set up another as the Australians recorded a 21-14 triumph in front of their home fans.