Rapid Rebbadj has the final say for hosts
SEMI-FINALS WRAP
SPURRED on by a boisterous capacity crowd at the home of French rugby, Les Bleus booked their place in the final with a 19-5 win over South Africa.
A tense scoreless first half was followed by a second stanza thriller.
Tristan Leyds' try out wide threatened to spoil the French party but Varian Pasquet broke through and had the composure to find Rayan Rebbadj, below, who scored under the posts for a converted try to overturn the deficit.
France had the bit between their teeth and second half substitute Antoine Dupont quick tapped and fed Rebbadj to go under the sticks before the rout was completed with Jordan Sepho scoring.
Early nerves proved a common theme in the second semi-final as well until late in the first half as Australia's Ben Dowling scored an excellent solo effort.
But Fiji are back-toback reigning Olympic champions for a reason and went coast to coast to score a try on the buzzer with speedster Joji Nasova running in from 90m.
Jerry Tuwai side stepped a defender and fed Iosefo Masi for an early second half try before Fiji confirmed their place in the final with tries by Kaminieli Rasaku and Selestino Ravutaumada, and a penalty by Terio Veilawa for a 31-7 victory.
