Police Recapture Coral Coast Crown
Fiji's Police sevens team has made history in the i-wau final of the sixth Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.
The lawmen became the first team to win consecutive tournaments with a 26-10 win over Wardens in front of a vocal Lawaqa Park crowd.
TFL Fijiana Mokosoi defeated USA Serevi Selects 36-10 to win the Crest Na Iri Trophy for women.
Both champions were awarded $20,000 in a first for women's rugby in Fiji.
Police captain Livai Ikanikoda said they were delighted with the result.
"We sacrificed during the festive season, we trained hard and that helped us go back to back," said the former national sevens rep. "We followed what our coach, Etonia Naba, told us and it was great to have Sevanaia Nadruku, the player of the tournament, in our squad.
"We hope Ben Ryan will pick some players from the Police after this result."
Ryan, the national coach, was sideline amongst a crowd of over 5,000 diehard fans in glorious Sigatoka weather.
Police reached the Cup final with an excellent defensive display in their semi against Tabadamu, winning 15-5, while Wardens' margin was even closer as they beat Coastal Ratu Filise 7-5.
Although Sevuloni Tawake opened the scoring for Wardens in the decider, the more experienced Police team soon dominated with four unanswered tries.
Kini Douglas, Kepeni Paul, Meli Kurisaru and Timoci Ratulolo crossed for the boys in blue, and despite losing Manueli Lagai with a red card, they held Wardens to one further consolation try.
Sevanaia Nadruku was awarded the Campese-Serevi Medal for player of the tournament by the Maestro himself, Waisale Serevi, and TFL Fijiana speedster Lavenia Tinai won the Jonah Lomu Medal for top tryscorer with seven.
Guest of honour Lote Tuqiri, the former Wallaby, presented the latter prize.
In the women's final the Mokosoi selection, featuring Tinai, Asinate Savu and Tima Ravisa, were comfortable winners over the visitors. Tinai (2), Ravisa (2), Savu and Mateiwai were the tryscorers.
Earlier, Mokosoi had beaten the Aussie Pearls development side 24-19 while Serevi Selects overpowered Tagimoucia, the other TFL Fijiana selection, winning 32-7.
BLK First Landing, Yamacia, Red Rock, Striders and the Central Chiefs were winners of the minor trophies.
The dates of the next Coral Coast Sevens will be finalised later this month.
RESULTS FROM SHANGRI LA SATURDAY at the BAYLEYS FIJI CORAL COAST SEVENS
I-wau
Police 26 Wardens 10
Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort Plate
BLK First Landing 33 Aussie Thunderbolts 17
Tourism Fiji Bowl
Yamacia 19 Shipping Service Suva Stallions 5
Coastal Shield
Hideaway 12 Red Rock 7
Crest Na Iri Trophy
TFL Fijiana Mokosoi 36 USA Serevi Selects 10
TFL Women's Plate
Striders 17 NZ Raiders 12
Rainbow Cool Tech Women's Bowl
Mystic Knights 26 Central Chiefs II 0