Hong Kong Sevens Impact Player: Semi Kunatani

Another flying Fijian star fires off impressive stats in Hong Kong to win the DHL Impact Player of the Tournament.

Fiji is on fire! A remarkable and memorable victory in Hong Kong has once again shown the world that Fiji sevens is setting new standards in the game. It’s the team’s second consecutive Cup win in Hong Kong, a tournament Fiji has now won a record sixteen times since its inception in 1978.

Click play above to relive Hong Kongs impact moments!

Forward Semi Kunatani certainly made the biggest impact. His stats were the best of any player in Hong Kong, with 10 tackles, 7 breaks, 11 offloads and 22 carries. He also went over for five tries, showing us all his attacking prowess.

That impressive performance has earned him the DHL Impact Player of the Tournament.

His stats were the best of any player in Hong Kong, making 10 tackles, 7 breaks, 11 offloads and 22 carries.

After barely missing the Cup final at the HSBC Vancouver Sevens, Fiji blew away Australia in the semi-final match to face rival and fellow Southern Hemisphere powerhouse New Zealand in the final. A wildly enthusiastic crowd packed out the stadium to watch these two teams meet for the first time in a final this series. 

The two top teams of this year’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series didn’t disappoint, providing an absolutely thrilling spectacle. After ending the first half tied at 7-7, Fiji went on the offensive in the second half with Kunatani leading some devastating attacks. Finally, the wide striding forward made a fantastic break from his own half to help set up a Kitione Taliga try that put Fiji up 14-7. Moments later it was Kunatani’s turn, grabbing a pass from Amenoni Nasilasila to sprint under the posts and secure Fiji the memorable victory. The final ended 21-7.

[Fiji fans] enjoyed every minute of the three days they witnessed, as we all did, but were made all the more happier witnessing a formidable side show an unerring quality, cool temperament and magical passion that puts Fijian rugby in the heart of every rugby fan.

Rob Vickerman, former England captain and TV commentator

Commentators agreed that Kunatani’s try and intelligent attacking play was what ensured he was on the winning side – now that’s what we call an Impact Player!

Fiji now lead the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series by five points from New Zealand, with the next round in Singapore this weekend, April 16-17.

France's Virimi Vakatawa, who previously won the DHL Impact Player of the Tournament in Dubai looked on course to take his second award of the season until Kunatani's expert performance in the final. Vakatawa, who has missed the past four tournaments due to Six Nations commitments, finished Hong Kong on a total of 44, six points behind Kunatani. USA's Perry Baker finished one point behind Vakatawa after another strong tournament in which he finished top try scorer with seven.

DHL Performance Tracker
Kunatani’s teammate Savenaca Rawaca remains at the top of the DHL Performance Tracker with 248 points, followed closely by Fiji captain Osea Kolinisau – who sprang up from fifth place – with 242 points. South Africa’s Seabelo Senatla is in third place with 240 points ahead of yet another Fiji player, Jasa Veremalua, with 234. The World Champions remain the only team with multiple players on the DHL Performance Tracker leaderboard.

HSBC Singapore Sevens
From Hong Kong the series now makes the short hop south to Singapore for Round 8 of the HSBC Sevens World Series, kicking off on April 16. The pools have been drawnand the excitement is already building. Be sure to follow the conversation on the Twitterverse with the hashtag #DHLImpactPlayer.

For more, head over to World Rugby’s Impact Player page or check out the Rugby stream right here on DHL InMotion. And follow us throughout the Series @DHLRugby and on Facebook.

Five things you need to know about the DHL Impact Player Award

DHL is the Official Logistics Partner of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.