Fiji Spoil Springboks’ Party At Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens

Fiji Spoil Springboks’ Party At Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens
 
Fiji gatecrashed South Africa’s party at Murrayfield, beating the newly crowned IRB Sevens World Series champions 20-19 in a thrilling finale to the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens.
 
Just 24 hours earlier the Springboks were celebrating after England - their nearest rivals in the title race – lost to Scotland, crushing their slim hopes of snatching the title from the runaway leaders.
 
Fiji’s victory took them above England in the final standings, but they still finished 30 points behind South Africa, who notched 132 points. Fiji (102), England (98), New Zealand (88), Argentina (68) and Kenya (64) headed the chasing pack.
 
In the plate final of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens, New Zealand ended their season on a high by beating Australia 34-12, while in the bowl play-off a weary England team beat France 26-15.
 
England’s disappointment at the flat finale to their campaign was offset by captain Ollie Phillips being named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, the first of the IRB Awards in Association with Emirates Airline to be presented in 2009.
 
Emirates’ sponsorship of the Edinburgh Sevens is a further example of the airline’s support of Rugby worldwide. Emirates is a Tournament Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011 and was the Principal Partner of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 that was held in Dubai in March.
 
The award-winning global airline also sponsors three other tournaments in the annual IRB Sevens World Series: namely Dubai, South Africa and last weekend’s London Sevens.
 
Emirates is the shirt sponsor of the England and Samoa sevens teams. In addition, it sponsors the IRB referees and match officials, as well as Emirates Western Force in Australia.