This year’s RWC 7s will be the eighth edition. Consisting of 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams, it will be played over three days in Cape Town.
It will be the first-ever RWC 7s in South Africa and the hosts will be aiming to win on home soil.
The All Blacks, Fiji, England and Wales have won the Melrose Cup, with the All Blacks dominating. Excitement is high.
Fiji last won the Melrose Cup in 2005 – 17 years ago Fiji united in an epic celebration!
The Melrose Cup is the prize and is named after the town of Melrose, Scotland, the birthplace of rugby 7s. Thanks to World Rugby and Sky Sports, let’s re-live the glorious moments!
Roses win inaugural tournament
The inaugural 1993 RWC 7s was held at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1993. Coached by Joe Sawailau, Fiji with Etonia Nadura, Samisoni Rabaka, Mesake Rasari, Vesi and Viliame Rauluni, Waisale Serevi, Filimoni Seru, Sakeasi Vonolagi, Jone Vueti, Penisoni Waki and Noa Nadruku lost to England 7-21 in the semifinal. With the likes of Adedayo Adebayo, Nick Beal, Justyn Cassell, Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson, Andrew Harriman, Damian Hopley, Tim Rodber, Chris Sheasby, Dave Scully and Michael Dods, the Roses outclassed the likes of Matt Burke, David Campese, Ryan Constable, Jin Fenwicke, John Flett, Ronnie Kirkpatrick, Grant Lodge, Michael Lynagh, Willie Ofahengaue, llivasi Tabua and Semi Taupeaafe.
One of the greatest finals
The 1997 RWC 7s win not only united Fijians, but also ended our losing streak at our happy hunting ground – So Kon Po Stadium. With the likes of Waisale Serevi, Luke Eranavula, Jope Tuikabe, Taniela Naikelekele, Leveni Duvuduvukula, the late Aminiasi Natuiyaga, Lemeki Koroi and Inoke Maraiwai, Marika Vunibaka and Manasa Bari, Fiji outmuscled South Africa 24-21. South Africa , which had big names in Graeme Bouwer, Stephen Brink, Jacques Olivier, Breyton Paulse, Pieter Rossouw, Bobby Skinstad, Andre Snyman, Jeffrey Stevens, the late Joost van der Westhuizen and Andre Venter, took a 14-0 lead. However, Vunibaka, Eranavula and Koroi scored four tries in the wonderful and draining final. Dramatic, emotional scenes as Fiji lifted the Melrose Cup. Such a moment of joy for a tiny island nation! All Blacks win in Argentina Unlike 1997, the 2001 Fiji 7s squad struggled and failed to impress. Coached by the late Rupeni Ravonu and having Rupeni Caucau, Vilimoni Delasau, Fero Lasagavibau, Sailosi Naiteqe, Taniela Qauqau, Senirusi Rauqe, Waisale Serevi, Jope Tuikabe, Josefa Uluivuda and Marika Vunibaka our boys lost to Australia 22-14 in the semi-final. The All Blacks had too much power and pace and despite losing their inspirational captain Eric Rush, they delivered. Lomu grabbed a hat-trick in a man-of-the-match display. With the likes of Rodney So’oialo, Jared Going, Karl Te Nana, Amasio Raoma, Brad Fleming, Mils Muliaina, Craig Newby and Roger Randle, they thrashed the Aussie 7s in Scott Barton, Ed Carter, Tim Donnelly, Richard Graham, Julian Huxley, Matt Isaac, Robert McDonald, Sam Payne, Cameron Pither and Brendan Williams 31-12.
Double delight for Fiji in HK
Hong Kong became the first country to host two RWC 7s and Fiji became the first to win the competition twice after dethroning the All Blacks 7s in front of a sell-out crowd. Fiji needed a sudden-death extra-time try from Waisale Serevi to make the final and deny England the chance to hold both the Webb Ellis and Melrose Cup. Fiji claimed the title in an amazing show of power and strength, beating the All Blacks 29-19, capping off a fairytale ending to the tournament for captain Serevi, who held aloft the Melrose Cup in the same stadium as he had eight years earlier. Coached by Wayne Pivac and boasting one of our most experienced squads in Semisi Naevo, Apolosi and Viliame Satala, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Jone Daunivucu, Waisale Serevi, Vilimoni Delasau, Marika Vunibaka, Nasoni Roko, William Ryder, Sireli Bobo and Neumi Nanuku, Fiji outpaced the likes of Edwin Cocker, George Naoupu, Tanerau Latimer, Josh Blackie, Amasio Raoma, Liam Messam, Tamati Ellison, Tafai Ioasa, Rudi Wulf, Orene Ai’I, Isaia Toeava and Lifeimi Mafi.
The Dragons upset the old order
The 2009 RWC 7s tournaments will forever be remembered for an outstanding set of Cup quarterfinal matches. The form book was well and truly ripped up in the men’s event as Wales beat the All Blacks, England fell to Samoa in an extra-time thriller, South Africa came unstuck against Argentina and, most brutally of all, defending champion Fiji was taken apart by Kenya. Fiji banked on Vilimoni Delasau, Semisi Naevo, Apolosi Satala, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Burotu, Pio Tuwai, Jone Daunivucu, Vereniki Goneva, Waisale Suka, Orisi Sareki, Peni Rokodiva and Neumi Nanuku. Wales beat Argentina 19-12. The Pumas in Francisco Merello, Santiago and Pablo Gomez Cora, Dino Caceres, Gonzalo Camacho, Lucas Gonzalez, Agustin Figuerola, Santiago Piccaluga, Lucio Lopez Fleming, Martin Rodriguez, Horacio San Martin and Martin Bustos Moyano fell short against Rhodri McAtee, Lee Williams, Tom Isaacs, Craig Hill, James Merriman, Tal Selley, Aled Brew, Aled Thomas, Rhys Webb, Richie Pugh, Dafydd Hewitt and Lee Beach.
All Blacks 7s conquer Moscow
The 80,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow provided the focal point for the 2013 RWC 7s. The Dragons title defence came to an end against the All Blacks in the quarters. Fiji edged South Africa, England beat Australia and Kenya saw off France. Due to the electrical storm and the lightning, the Fiji v All Blacks battle was affected as the All Blacks won 17-0. Coached by Alivereti Dere, the likes of Leone Nakarawa, Levani Botia, Waisea Nayacalevu, Nemani Nagusa, Watisoni Votu, Joji Ragamate, Jasa Veremalua, Vereniki Goneva, Ilai Tinai, Alipate Ratini, Metuisela Talebula and Samisoni Viriviri failed to win. The conditions underfoot were no better as England overcame Kenya 12-5, but had no answer to an inspired All Blacks who won 33-0. Sir Gordon Tietjens and his warriors – Pita Ahki, Tim Mikkelson, Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes, Lote Raikabula, Tomasi Cama Jr, Scott Curry, Gillies Kaka, Sherwin Stowers, Waisake Naholo, Kurt Baker, David Raikuna and Bryce Heem had the last laugh over Ben Ryan and his young brigade in Jeff Williams, Michael John Ellery, Rob Vickerman, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Tom Mitchell, John Brake, Tom Powell, Marcus Watson, Christian Lewis-Pratt, Mat Turner and Mark Odejobi.
Brilliant All Blacks hard to stop in USA
The brilliant and mighty All Blacks were hard to contain. More than 100,000 fans many of them first-time rugby watchers flocked to San Francisco’s iconic AT&T Park. They were captivated by the compelling action on show. As was the case in Moscow, England was no match for the All Blacks 7s in the final. Clark Laidlaw’s side opened up an early 14-0 lead and went on to win 33-12. They followed their women’s 7s team in becoming the first team to win consecutive RWC 7s titles. South Africa beat a crestfallen Fijian side, which lost to the All Blacks 22-17 in the semis, to the bronze medal. Coached by Gareth Baber, the likes of Leone Nakarawa, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Kalioni Nasoko, Paula Dranisinikula, Semi Kunatani, Jasa Veremalua, Josua Tuisova, Vatemo Ravouvou, Jerry Tuwai, Alosio Naduva, Semi Radradra and Amenoni Nasilasila failed to win the Melrose Cup. The form of Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Trael Joass, Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Joe Ravouvou, Akuila Rokolisoa, Salesi Rayasi, Andrew Knewstubb, Horowhenua-Kapiti, Jona Nareki, Regan Ware and Sione Molia was too hot for England’s Richard de Carpentier, Mike Ellery, Phil Burgess, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Tom Mitchell, William Edwards, Alex Davis, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnochie, Will Muir and Harry Glover. The 2018 win put the All Blacks as the most successful team on the HSBC WRSS circuit, the RWC 7s and the Commonwealth Games 7s tournaments.
• RAJNESH LINGAM is a regular contributor to The Fiji Times. The views expressed are the author’s and do not reflect the views of this newspaper.
