Hong Kong: Fiji opens gap at the top
The 21-7 win over Pacific rivals New Zealand saw them open up a five-pint lead over the Kiwis – Fiji sitting on 128 points after seven of the World Series' 10 legs, followed by New Zealand (who moved past South Africa into second place) on 123 and the BlitzBoks on 122 after finishing third again.
Australia (105) and United States (88) head a chasing group well back in the pack. (For the full standings, CLICK HERE!)
South Africa hung on desperately in a dramatic third-place play-off to edge Australia 14-12, after they were knocked out in equally dramatic fashion by New Zealand – Kiwis requiting nine minutes of extra time to edge the BlitzBoks in the semifinal.
Fiji simply had too much power and pace for Australia in the other semifinal.
England saw off the United States to claim the Plate competition, Argentina powered to Bowl victory and Russia lifted the Shield after extra-time win.
Japan beat Hong Kong in the qualifying Final, to gain core team status for the 2016/17 season.
Check out the draw for the #Singapore7s – HSBC @WorldRugby7s round 8 pic.twitter.com/CWjlCeg5CT
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 10, 2016
We look at all the finals!
Cup Final – New Zealand 7-21 Fiji
Isake Katonibau put in a massive hit on Sonny Bill Williams in an even start to the Cup Final.
Pita Ahki turned Jerry Tuwai inside and out to score the opening try of the game. It was just the start New Zealand needed, with Gillies Kaka adding on the two points for the conversion.
A penalty to Fiji three metres out was taken quickly and Tuwai dove over under the posts. It was also Tuwai who made the initial break and then put in a kick over the top to put New Zealand under pressure.
That left the teams deadlocked 7-all at the half-time break.
The greasy surface meant both sides were struggling to get quick and clean ball at ruck time. New Zealand made five visits to the opposition 22 in the first half, compared to Fiji's one.
Three minutes into the second half – after a period in which New Zealand's defensive line stayed intact, despite coming under severe pressure – Fiji finally found a hole. Kunatani's break got Fiji good field position and eventually the ball was worked wide to Kitione Taliga, who cruised over. The five points were turned into seven with the conversion.
Try-scorer Taliga also showed up well in defence by dislodging the ball from Isaac Te Tamaki's grasp just as the No.10 threatened to break free. Three minutes to go.
Pio Tuwai went through the middle of the ruck to turn possession over and Fiji broke from their own 22. A delightful offload from Amenoni Nasilasila sent Semi Kunatani in for what turned out to be the decisive try.
Fiji hung on and captain Osea Kolinisau kicked the ball out as Fiji celebrated victory in the Cup Final.
New Zealand's legs looked weary after a tough semifinal, but Fiji deserved their 16th Hong Kong title.
Third-place play-off – South Africa 14-12 Australia
Cecil Afrika finished off a brilliant handling move started by Kyle Brown to seize the initiative in the third-place play-off. Branco du Preez converts and James Stannard is sent to the sin-bin for a high shot
Frankie Winterstein got turned over and Du Preez unleashed Siviwe Soyizwapi on the wide outside for the second try of the game. However, Australia halved the lead when Ed Jenkins took a quick tap and Sam Myers coasted home.
Boyd Killingworth added to his strong work at the breakdown with the opening try of the second half – putting Australia right back in it. They could have taken the lead had Jenkins not spilled a pass with clear daylight between himself and the tryline.
There was more drama as play went back and forth in stoppage time. South Africa thought they were safe, after John Porch kicked the ball dead.
However, a penalty for offside handed Australia a chance to win it, but James Stannard missed.
Plate Final – United States 0-19 England
Just 30 seconds into the Plate Final and Dan Norton handed England the lead with an electric turn of pace from halfway. Norton was absolutely oozing with confidence after notching his 200th series try in the semifinal win over Kenya.
A multi-pass move involving great hands from all those in a white jersey saw flame-haired James Rodwell stride home down the right flank for a second try. The United States had no answer. Mike Friday was yelling at his troops to stop England hitting back on the inside.
The eagerly-awaited match-up between gas merchants Dan Norton and Perry Baker ended with Baker being substituted a few minutes before the end. The Yanks were struggling to get any sort of foothold in the game and England went in again when Ruaridh McConnochie slid over after Tom Bowen had twice gone close. It was a job well done for England who bounced back from two nightmare performances in Las Vegas and Vancouver with the Plate in Hong Kong.
FINISHER! @WrestleMania was last week but Mike Fuailefau of @RugbyCanada showing his best finisher! Thoughts @wwe?https://t.co/73HM49r8PV
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 10, 2016
Bowl Final – Argentina 26-0 Scotland
Segundo Tuculet got on the end of a cut-out pass and fended off a Scottish defender to open the scoring in the Bowl Final. Scotland were being starved of the ball and they went further behind when Nicolas Bruzzone did a passable impression of Diego Maradonna and found Juan Pablo Estelles with a lateral grubber kick. Estelles finished off for his third world series try.
Estelles cruised in for his second with a couple of minutes to go to the break, after being set up by Fernando Luna.
Suffocating defence from Argentina prevented Scotland from breaking free from their own half and eventually the South Americans won turnover ball to set up one last attack. A couple of passes later and Bautista Delguy was in for Argentina's fourth and final try.
Shield Final – Russia 19-14 Canada (in extra time, the teams were level 14-all at the end of regulation time)
Canada's Mike Fuailefau flipped German Davydov on his back in a rather comical manner, as he stole the ball at ruck time and then ran home unopposed from 12 metres out for the first try of the game. Denis Simplikevich produced another display of power and pace as Russia found a swift response, but John Moonlight ensured Canada have the final say of the first half.
Vladislav Sozonov's work at the breakdown sparked a counter attack from Russia inside their own 22. The ball was worked to Vladislav Lazarenko, who showed great pace and footballing skills to dribble the ball downfield for a long-range try. The conversion was good and it was all square again. Neither team could find their way over again and we headed to extra-time.
Lazarenko scored his second to win the Shield for Russia in extra-time. Canada are left to rue their inaccuracy with ball in hand after coughing up possession 10 times in the match.
Source: @WorldRugby7s
