The Fiji 7s team won its first match at the PacificAus Sports Oceania 7s in Townsville, Australia yesterday.
The Gareth Baber-coached side beat defending champion Australia 26-14 making it a sweet revenge as the Aussies had thumped Fiji 22-nil in the final of the 2019 segment of the tournament.
Fiji made a shaky start and the Australians took advantage and scored an early try to lead 7-nil.
Sireli Maqala, playing in his first international tournament, proved to be a game changer as his two tries in the first spell saw the Fiji side take a 14-7 half-time lead.
The Aussies has a player sin-binned midway through the first spell for an early tackle on a Fijian player.
Australia started the second half just the way they did the first as a try saw the scores tied 14-all.
Tactical changes by Baber proved to be the difference as Waisea Nacuqu and Jiuta Wainiqolo came off the bench to score a try each for a comfortable win in the end.
Fiji plays New Zealand at 4.22pm today after which they face Australia at 9.30pm.
In the last round, Fiji takes on Oceania Barbarians and New Zealand tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Fijiana side had a disappointing start going down to Australia 31-17 in their opening match yesterday.
Fijiana trailed 19-5 at half-time.
The Fijiana side will play the Oceania Barbarians at 4.44pm today after which they face Australia at 10.36pm.
