Tokyo Olympics: Fiji begins rugby sevens title defence against Japan with comeback thriller

Baber’s men rely on a Nacuqu second-half brace after trailing by two points at half-time

Fiji-born Japanese players Tuqiri and Soejima each score as Iwabuchi’s side nearly cause major upset

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Fiji rugby sevens player Waisea Nacuqu gets beyond tackles from Kazushi Hano and Naoki Motomura of Japan in their opening Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games match in the Tokyo Stadium. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:38pm, 26 Jul 2021Updated: 2:31pm, 26 Jul 2021

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Fiji started its Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games rugby sevens title defence with a shaky 24-19 win against hosts Japan in Tokyo Stadium on Monday.

The Flying Fijians, who are the reigning Olympic champions having dominated at the Rio 2016 Games where the sport was introduced for the first time, scored immediately from kick-off thanks to Jiuta Wainiqolo.

Japan, who upset perennial contenders New Zealand and went on to finish fourth in Rio five years ago, continued to pile on the pressure and levelled thanks to captain Chihito Matsui’s pitch length-running heroics. It did not take long for Iosefo Masikay Baleiwairiki to help Fiji regain the lead, however.

Though Gareth Baber’s men looked to be getting back to their familiar Pacific Island magic, Japan managed to claw back to lead by half-time thanks to an overtime try by Fiji-born Japanese-naturalised Lote Tuqiri.

They were again stung by a Fiji-born Japanese player after veteran and 15s crossover Kameli Soejima scored to extend the lead.