All for Fiji – Determination, passion key to victory

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Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Rugby Sevens – Women – Bronze medal match – Fiji v Britain – Tokyo Stadium – Tokyo, Japan – July 31, 2021. Ana Maria Naimasi of Fiji in action with Helena Rowland of Britain and Megan Jones of Britain. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

Olympics Games bronze medal winning captain Rusila Nagasau said it was the sheer determination and passion for the Fijiana 7s jersey and the nation that brought them through against Great Britain.

Speaking after the 22-12 bronze medal match win Nagasau said her teammates put everything on the table for that one.

“We came here on a mission and that was to win the gold medal but it didn’t go the way we wanted,” Nagasau said.

“However, we are more than happy with a bronze, that is an achievement for us as a team.

“We stood our ground and I know that it didn’t turn out the way we wanted.

“That is what rugby is all about, one will win and the other will lose.”

Nagasau said with the pandemic hitting hard back home and  having sacrificed time with loved ones, this win was extra special.

“Going back home with a bronze is something special, especially when we have not seen our families for the past five months.

“When we came here our aim was to earn something for our people suffering from COVID-19 spreading in Fiji right now.

“Our aim was to put smiles back on their faces.”

Meanwhile, Team Fiji chef de mission, Patrick Bower said the outstanding performance by the men and women sevens team had earned Fiji two medals – a gold and bronze in the Olympics.

“We were so happy to see their performance today (Saturday),” Bower said.

“Quite frankly we thought they could have made it to the final, however speaking to the girls, it’s so good to see them in a positive spirit and whilst the Olympics is every four years, they can move ahead and prove that they have a place in the Olympics, like every other sport that Fiji is represented by.”

The Fijianas beat Great Britain 21-12 in the bronze medal play-off with three tries and three conversions.

From 8th place at the last Olympics in Rio, the Fiji women’s sevens rugby team is now the third best women’s rugby team in the world.

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