30 Nov 2018

Sport: Fijiana 7s miss Dubai quarter finals

6:48 am on 30 November 2018

The Fiji women's sevens team have missed out on a quarter final berth at the Dubai leg of the World Series despite an improved showing in pool play.

Ana Maria Naimasi scored first in their opening match before Canada responded with six unanswered tries, including a hat-trick from Julia Greenshields, to ease to a 38-7 win.

Fiji's Naina Baleca fends off a France defender in Dubai.

Fiji's Naina Baleca fends off a France defender in Dubai. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby

The Fijiana 7s also opened the scoring against France, with Asinate Ufia Savu dotting down for the first ever try on the World Series in the second minute.

The 25 year old debutante scored again in the second half and Roela Radiniyavuni also found the tryline but yellow cards to Naina Baleca and Vasiti Solikoviti proved costly as Les Bleus eventually prevailed 29-15.

Savu, Naimasi and Radiniyavuni all scored again as Fiji beat Spain 17-5 in their final group match to avenge their defeat in last month's opening leg in Glendale, Colorado.

Fiji's Roela Radiniyavuni scored two tries on day one.

Fiji's Roela Radiniyavuni scored two tries on day one. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby

However Fiji were denied a place in the quarter finals on points differential, with Russia and defending World Series champions Australia finishing as the top two third placed teams.

New Zealand, England and Canada topped the three pools and will face Russia, Australia and Ireland in the last eight, with the USA taking on France in the other match.

The Fijiana will instead play China in the Challenge semi finals, who they beat at the same stage in the opening round.

The Fijiana team huddle during the game against Canada in Dubai.

The Fijiana team huddle during the game against Canada in Dubai. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby