Samoa have been edged out of Cup contention in Hong Kong after a 19-7 loss to Fiji in the semi final.
Samoa suffered a huge blow with two Co-Captains leaving the field with injuries.
Melani Matavao and Vaafauese Apelu-Maliko were both taken off in the second half after receiving attention from the team physio.
Samoa’s bench all came on and continued a valiant battle against Fiji, who have not lost a game in Hong Kong after 35 matches.
Also notably missing in the line-up against Fiji was speedster Steve Rimoni Onosai who left the field early during the semi final against Argentina
The last time Fiji lost a match in Hong Kong was a quarterfinal against England in 2014.
Fiji advance to the final where they will meet last season’s World Series champs Australia.
This is Fiji’s sixth Hong Kong 7s final in a row. Fiji have won the last five Hong Kong 7s.
Samoa’s Head Coach will have to go back to the drawing board to asses player injuries before the bronze medal match against France.
