Fiji take first blood

 

Setefano Cakau scored two tries in the first half before Apisai Domolaili and Semi Kunatani saw the Fijians take a 26-0 lead.

 

But Samoa's Fautua Otto scored just before half time before Lolo Lui, Siaosi Asofolau and Tila Mealoi narrowed the gap to just two points with four minutes to go. 

 

However, Fiji managed to cement their 2014 Gold Cup Sevens Cup final win when Jasa Veremalua crossed the line to seal the 31-24 final score.

 

Earlier England, who finished the tournament third after two Dan Norton tries secured a 19-0 win over South Africa, recorded their best victory over New Zealand since 2003 as they recorded a 31-7 win against the defending Sevens World Series and Gold Coast Sevens champions. 

 

It's the first time the All Blacks Sevens have not made a Cup semifinal since Dubai 2011 with England captain Phil Burgess scoring two tries in the win and Simon Amor's side will now face Fiji in the semi finals. 

 

“We know that New Zealand are so physical and that we had to match them and today, that’s what we did. We matched them and we were clinical," said Burgess. 

 

"I don’t know how many times we had the ball in their half or their 22 but we came away with points nearly every time."

 

New Zealand finished their tournament on a high with a 36-21 win over Argentina.

 

The Kiwis scored five tries in the first half as Joe Webber followed on from his hat-trick earlier today with a try.

 

Argentina tried to claw back in the second half with three tries, including Francisco Merello's sixtieth World Series try, however New Zealand persevered to take home the Plate.

 

"We set high standards so to trip up in the quarter final [defeat by England] was massive for us," said captain DJ Forbes. 

 

"It wasn't ideal but, in terms of the World Series, you've got to start somewhere."

 

Earlier, Webber scored a hat-trick as New Zealand bounced back from their defeat to England to beat Wales 39-5 in their Plate semifinal before Axel Muller scored two tries in the final minute as Argentina beat the hosts 21-17. 

 

“It's our first tournament of the year and it's pretty disappointing to come away with not many points but the boys will have to regroup going into Dubai and South Africa," said Australia captain Ed Jenkins. 

 

"With this group and its experience now we just have to work to shut down a game when we get the chance.”

 

Mike Friday picked up some silverware in his first tournament in charge after USA beat France 31-15 in the Bowl final with Zack Test and Perry Baker both adding tries to their tournament tallies. 

 

"We've had to learn some harsh lessons this weekend but they've played some good rugby today," said head coach Mike Friday.

 

"There are a lot of good teams here, the level is rising and we need to move from being participants to competitors." 

 

In the semi finals USA recorded a 33-0 win over Portugal thanks to a hat-trick from Baker while France also left their opponents scoreless, beating Scotland 26-0 in their semi final which featured Virimi Vakatawa's third try of the day.

 

Canada beat Kenya in the Shield final with a convincing 40-7 victory.

 

Harry Jones scored half of his team's points in the form of two tries and five conversions. 

 

Sean Duke managed a double in just two minutes while Jake Webster and Conor Trainor scored one five-pointer each.

 

"It's a little bit toasty but we are pleased to end the weekend with a victory," said captain John Moonlight.

 

"We'll learn from this experience and regroup ahead of the next leg in Dubai."

 

 

Final: Fiji 31 – 24 Samoa

Third Place: England 19 – 0 South Africa

Plate Final: New Zealand 36 – 21 Argentina

Bowl Final: France 15 – 31 United States

Shield Final: Canada 40 – 7 Kenya

 

Cup Semi: Samoa 28 – 12 South Africa

Cup Semi: England 7 – 48 Fiji

 

Plate Semi: Argentina 21 – 17 Australia

Plate Semi: New Zealand 39 – 5 Wales

 

Bowl Semi: United States 33 – 0 Portugal

Bowl Semi: France 26 – 0 Scotland

 

Shield Semi: Japan 15 – 17 Kenya

Shield Semi: Canada 50 – 0 American Samoa

 

Quaterfinal Cup: South Africa 12 – 10 Australia

Quaterfinal Cup: Argentina 21 – 24 Samoa

Quaterfinal Cup: Fiji 31 – 10 Wales

Quaterfinal Cup: New Zealand 7 – 31 England

 

Quaterfinal Bowl: Kenya 17 – 19 Portugal

Quaterfinal Bowl: United States 26 – 5 Japan

Quaterfinal Bowl: Scotland 24 – 12 American Samoa

Quaterfinal Bowl: France 21 – 19 Canada