It took another national rugby hero to finally beat Fiji's sevens maestro Jerry Tuwai at the Olympics.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
And, after adding silver to his two golds - Fiji's only two golds in Olympic history - that might be it for the 35-year-old marvel.
Fiji's 17-game Olympic streak was finally ended in emphatic style by Antoine Dupont's side at a heaving Stade de France on Saturday.
The French 15-a-side captain, among one of the best in the world, scored twice and set up another with a brilliant sideline burst that proved too much for the Flying Fijians.
"It was not what we wanted but France was too good for us today. We started really well but a lot of things happened that didn't go our way," Tuwai said.
The veteran wasn't even in the Fiji squad to begin this world series, former English coach Ben Gollings reportedly citing fitness issues.
New boss Osea Kolinisau, who won Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games with Tuwai, didn't pick him either when he took over.
Tuwai finally entered the fray in the series final and by Paris was again one of the side's go-to men.
"I wanted to end my career with another gold but not everything goes to plan," he said.
"It feels like the end for me at this moment. But in a few days, let's see."
Their historic Rio gold triggered a national holiday and the emergence of their women's program - they won bronze in Tokyo to claim the country's third Olympic medal - is inspiring the rugby-mad country.
"There is a change of landscape in Fijian rugby," Kolinisau said.
"More parents, more doctors are getting involved in rugby because they know their daughters can be Olympians.
"The girls won the bronze in Tokyo ... before that, only boys played rugby but now they know the girls can become Olympians and live from it."
The women's program begins on Sunday, with Fiji drawn to face Canada and China in their two pool games.
Australian Associated Press
