On Monday, March 24 1997, The Fiji Times published an article on how Waisale Serevi hoisted the Melrose Cup after Fiji beat South Africa 24-21 to win the World Cup Rugby sevens at Hong Kong Stadium.
“It’s a great honour to win the World Cup for my country,” the happy Gau man told reporters afterwards.
“When we won the Hong Kong Sevens three times in a row (1990, 1991, 1992), we had a national holiday to celebrate.
“Maybe this time, we should have a month.”
Serevi, 28, lived up to his promise to the nation and to his two daughters back home.
“Before the tournament on Friday, I promised my two daughters at home in Suva that I was going to do my best and I will bring the World Cup back home to them.”
“I have kept that promise.”
He ended the three-day tournament at the Hong Kong Stadium as the highest points scorer, with 117 points, and was officially crowned the King of Sevens.
Fiji came from 14-0 down to level scores in the second half and then pulled away.
Serevi gave credit to the Almighty, and attributed the win to the team’s preparations.
On the jerseys they wore the previous day were printed the words of the Bible verse from Philippians 4: 13 across the front.
It was a verse from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians which says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Serevi said this was their secret weapon.
“We won the World Cup through Christ,” he said.
His team mate Manasa Bari cried tears of joy on the Hong Kong Stadium turf after the scintillating final. The winger was lost in the face of Serevi’s ingenious leadership, but it was fourth time lucky for Bari who had never won anything since his debut in 1994.
Fiji coach Rupeni Ravonu stirred the concentration of his players at halftime.
“The wind is with you now, use it,” he said when his team trailed 7-14.
Trainer Tomasi Cama who carried Serevi on his shoulders around the ground after the final whistle, urged the team not to lose hope and score more points.
“Obviously, it will be Mr Serevi,” England coach Les Cusworth had said at the start of the tournament.
“Serevi will take the Melrose Cup to the home of sevens in the world.”
Fiji beat Korea in the quarter finals and came from behind to beat Western Samoa in the semifinals.
The United States won the Bowl Competition and Tonga, helped by Fijian winger Fero Lasagavibau, won the Plate.
