Rugby
Fiji's Ravouvou scoops up DHL Impact Player Award in Vegas
Despite Fiji's Cup final loss at the HSBC USA Sevens, it was the experienced Vatemo Ravouvou who scooped the DHL Impact Player award after a string of world class performances in Las Vegas.
The 26-year-old finished on a total of 47 points, two ahead of England captain Tom Mitchell. The Pacific islander, renowned for his electric footwork, made 14 tackles, 4 breaks, 5 offloads and 24 carries. Kenya's Andrew Amonde finished third in Vegas with 44 points.
It was a great honor to win the award and I have to thank my team mates.
Vatemo Ravouvou
"It was a great honor to win the award and I have to thank my team mates. It's a privilege to play for Fiji and to be named the impact player," said Ravouvou after his side's 19-12 loss to the Blitzboks at the Sam Boyd Stadium.
The series Performance Tracker is led by another Kenyan, Billy Odhiambo, who is on 201 points and has a clear 12-point lead over England's Dan Norton in second place. Canada's Justin Douglas is third overall after five rounds, on 181 points.
Outstanding effort all tournament.
Rob Vickerman, former England Rugby 7s Captain
South Africa win big
South Africa secured their fourth tournament win of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2016-17 after beating Fiji 19-12 at the Sam Boyd Stadium.
The victory gives them a 24-point buffer at the top of the series standings, with Fiji in second place and England in third following their fifth place finish in Vegas.
The final itself was a tense match-up as Olympic champions Fiji came into the match chasing their first tournament win of the series. Masivesi Dakuwaqa scored from close range early on in the match following a mistake from Ruhan Nel, but Blitzboks playmaker Cecil Afrika soon replied for the series leaders after latching onto a pass from Siviwe Soyizwapi. Powerful forward Chris Dry added a try early on in the second half, before HSBC Player of the Final Rosko Specman scorched the turf to score an incredible individual try. Waisea Nacuqu struck back for Fiji but the game was out of sight.
The Blitzboks have finished as series runners-up for four consecutive years yet have had their best start ever to a world series with victories in Dubai, Sydney, Wellington and now Las Vegas. Their loss to England in the HSBC Cape Town Sevens back in December is the only blemish on what has been the perfect start to their 2016-17 campaign and head coach Neil Powell is pleased with the way his side are performing.
Hosts USA finished third overall after beating New Zealand 19-15 in the Bronze final, while Kenya took victory in the Challenge Trophy final, beating Samoa 21-14.
The next round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series heads to Vancouver on 11-12 March.
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Learn more about the DHL 2016-17 Impact Player Award
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