The Hong Kong 7s is special to Fijians.
Many consider So Kon Po Stadium the home of 7s and why not!
Our 7s warriors shed blood and tears on their way to winning the first three in a row HK 7s titles in the Happy Valley, and then it was at So Kon Po Stadium that we won our first Melrose Cup.
The Stadium has a lot of sweet memories.
In my two previous articles, I alluded to our two epic and gracious Melrose Cup victories at So Kon Po Stadium in 1997 and 2005.
I shared with our 7s captain Jerry Tuwai that sadly 2005 was the last year Fijians celebrated winning the Melrose Cup as we faltered in 2009, 2013 and 2018.
I then challenged Jerry to have a shot at the Melrose Cup before thinking about hanging his boots.
Hence, via this article, I take readers down memory lane to 1998 when we won the HK 7s tournament defeating Samoa 28-19.
Prior to typing this article I watched the 1998 Fiji International 7s final between the late Rupeni Ravonu coached Fiji side led by Waisale Serevi, Meli Tamanitoakula, Jope Tuikabe, Luke Eranavula, Sirilo Lala, Saimoni Rokini, Taniela Qauqau, Marika Vunibaka, and the late Inoke Maraiwai and the Australian Fijians led by Samu Saumaisue, Mesake Tukai, Akuila Tuinasau, Orisi Kunaleca, Benji Tuwako, Inoke Turuva, Bruce Rauqe and Eparama.
In pool play Fiji defeated the Australian Fijians 28-26 and in the final Fiji took a commanding 14-0 lead with tries to Vunibaka and Lala, but the visitors clawed their way back into the match taking the lead at the break 19-14 with tries to Tuinasau and Saumaisue.
Tamanitoakula and Vunibaka sealed the deal 28-19.
Later on Turuva, Saumaisue, Rauqe and Tuinasau donned the national jumper in HK.
Those were the good days when the Tabua Trophy attracted big teams to our shores when Fiji hosted an international 7s tournament.
The 1998 HK 7s was the next big thing that So Kon Po Stadium was ready to host after the success of the 1997 Rugby World Cup 7s which was won for the first time by the flamboyant Fijians defeating South Africa 24-21.
The Fijian contingent was led by the late Rupeni Ravonu and the likes of gas man Marika Vunibaka, Meli Tamanitoakula, Nadroga power house Sirilo Lala, Luke Eranavula, Inoke Turuva, ginger-haired Saimoni Rokini, Jope Tuikabe, our genius Waisale Serevi, the late Inoke Maraiwai and Setareki Tawake.
After the emphatic RWC 7s win at So Kon Po Stadium Fiji was the hot favourite to win.
Commentators Tony Johnson, Hamish McKay, NZ 15s star half-back Justin Marshall and Tongan International Willie Lose were in the commentary box.
On the front of our jersey the Bible verse ‘PHIL: 4:13’ and Vodafone were embedded as Fiji ran riot against Chinese Taipei and PNG, winning 61-0 and 36-0, respectively.
The last pool match against Argentina was a cracker as the Pumas put up a brave effort holding Fiji to a draw 21-21.
Ironically, Fiji let slip a 21-7 lead and allowed the opposition to come back with two stunning tries in less than a minute.
In the quarter-final, Fiji faced Australia and Senirusi Bruce Rauqe and Nick Ralutu faced their countrymen.
The great David Campese led the Australian onslaught, but Fiji won 21-7.
Fiji headed into the semi-final to face traditional rivals New Zealand who had beaten Fiji at So Kon Po in 1995 (35-17) and 1996 (19-17) and who became the second team after Fiji to complete a hat-trick in the Happy Valley.
The semi-final started on a high note as the likes of Brad Fleming, Tony Monaghan, Rua Tipoki, Eric Rush, Karl Te Nana, Damian Karauna, Owen Scrimgeour, Waisiki Masirewa and Aisea Tuilevu dominated play.
The All Blacks were on attack, but Fiji defended pretty well.
NZ was penalised and Fiji had possession only to lose it to NZ again.
The build-up to Fiji’s first try was captured by commentator Tony: “Fiji close to their own goal line looks for a break
again running into tackles and the ball comes out the NZ side. Te Nana has it.
Back it goes to Tipoki.
“His gonna have Rokoni on steps past up through the gap.
Brilliant try coming up from NZ, but Rush drops the ball.
Now Fiji with the chance to break away.
“Here is Serevi. Look out trouble in field and Vunibaka with a kick down field.
Now the chase is on.
“Vunibaka has got it all to himself. He only needs a bounce and he is away. He picks it up. Here’s the try coming up for Fiji.”
Fiji struck first and led 5-0.
Tamanitoakula extended our lead with a brilliant try and commentators Tony and Marshall had this to say: “If anyone can, this man (Serevi) can.
It’s Serevi away into the corner he goes.
Beautifully done by the little master.
Fiji on fire.
Out it goes into centre field.
Rokini away to Meli.
Monaghan comes across, but he won’t stop him.
Great try.
All going right for Fiji and it’s all going wrong for NZ.
Waisale Serevifantastic skills.
That’s the magic.
That’s Serevi at his absolute best”.
The All Blacks were 10 points behind and had a mountain to climb.
Fiji got their third try to Serevi and the words of the commentators thrilled: “Comes back to Rokini looking for the big pass over the top towards Meli. He has got it and he got Serevi outside him. Sells a dummy goes in field. Here’s Serevi. They won’t stop him. Fiji runs riot. Calmly puts it down.”
Fiji took a commanding 17-0 lead at the break, and Fiji’s solid defence and support play disturbed NZ. Bruce Rauqe, who earlier donned the green and gold jumper, replaced Tamanitoakula and Karauna gave the Kiwis a faint hope as he pulled one back.
Fiji’s final try was scored by Vunibaka and the build-up entertained: “Picked up by Jope. Huge pass back to Serevi. He can take all the time in the world, but he sees the gap. He is on fire and he has got it away to Vunibaka. The kick ahead the chase. Vunibaka is going to win it. Vunibaka picks it up. That will seal it for Fiji. A great victory for the world champions. Too many gun – he (Vunibaka) is one of the biggest guns in the world”.
That had put the nail in NZ’s coffin, as Fiji sealed the match 24-7 to set up a showdown against Samoa.
The Samoans were laced with big names in Semo Sititi, brothers Ailaoa and Toa Samania, Toala Filipo, Onehunga Matauiau, Alefaio Vaisuai, Orene Ai’I, Leamy Toleafao, Malakai Koloamatangi and Saito Silitoto.
Aisea Tuilevu, who had donned the All Blacks jumper, joined Fiji in the final.
Ross Mitchell was given the task of refereeing the final while Andy Capostagno joined Tony Johnson in the commentary booth for the final.
Samoa performed the war dance which drew a huge roar from the crowd.
The last time in HK that Fiji and Samoa met was in the sensational cup final in 1993 and the Samoans had upset Fiji 14-12. Fiji took the Samoans head on.
Vunibaka sneaked in for Fiji’s first try and commentator Tony said: “Now you can see the intensity start to lift. Real bodily contact. Chance on the right. Maraiwai popping it up. Here it goes to Vunibaka. He scores and Fiji is in front. It’s classic 7s rugby.”
Serevi kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Samoa replied with an individual try to Toa to put the game on level terms 7-7.
Tuikabe then put Fiji ahead after picking up a pass from Rauqe and Serevi added the conversion to make it 14-7.
A heroic defensive effort from Vunibaka then stopped Toa from scoring his second try and Fiji was awarded a penalty.
The half time hooter signaled the end of a pulsating final.
Maraiwai picked up Fiji’s third and an important try and this is what commentator Tony said: “Referee playing advantage and it’s an advantage that could produce some points for Fiji. Here’s Maraiwai. All he has to do is pick it up and stroll over. That could be the killer blow.”
Fiji took a 21-7 lead, but Samoa scored two delicious tries by Ailaoa, bringing the crowd to their feet. Fiji led 21-19 with two minutes to play.
The last try by Rauqe brought Fiji back into the game and commentator Tony said: “Serevi – his got Tawake outside him. Now Rokini streaking down the right side. The support is there. Fiji surging forward. This will be the winner. Bruce Rauqe gets the try. That will wrap up surely for Fiji. That is the most important try of the 1998 Hong Kong 7s tournament.”
The Fijians won the HK 7s title in an incredible way winning 28-19.
The Island nation of Fiji celebrated late night.
Commentator Tony summed up the final with these words: “The referee blows the whistle and Fiji has done it for the eighth time – the undisputed champions of sevens rugby. They won the World Cup last year. They came back to add the 7s title from HK this year. Go Fiji go! They have gone alright. They have won it again. What a final – what a victory for Fiji 28-19 and a pulsating final. A great final played in great spirit and a great performance by Serevi
and the world champions in a magnificent tournament.”
As Serevi lifted the Cup, fireworks erupted and fans rose to salute the HK 7s champions.
Fiji was too good.
They had beaten three giants – Australia, NZ and Samoa!
The HK 7s win took So Kon Po by storm as Fiji was declared the kings of 7s rugby.
Those glorious days!
- RAJNESH LINGAM is a a regular contirbitor to The Fiji Times. The views expressed are the author’s and do not reflect the views of this newspaper.
