Paris Sevens: Samoa the comeback kings
Defending World Series champions Fiji held a 14-0 and 26-7 lead in a thrilling Cup Final, but Samoa showed the fighting spirit that can see them qualify for the Olympic Games – when they play in a repechage tournament later this year.
Fiji attacked the Samoan line with seconds remaining and just as everyone expected Ben Ryan's side to pull another late match-winner out of the bag, Belgium Tuatagaloa put in a huge hit to force a knock on inches from the Samoan line – Samoa winning 29-26.
Despite the loss in the Final, Fiji already have their one hand on another World Series title.
The 19 points they collected in Paris mean they are now 14 points ahead of second-placed South Africa (Plate winners in Paris) in the World Series race (166 versus 152) and just need to reach the Cup quarterfinals in London next to be crowned World Series Champions for the second successive year.
New Zealand, 12-time World Series winners, also have a remote mathematical chance. However, both Fiji and the BlitzBoks have to completely womb in London – with Fiji not earning more that three points (which the Shield winners get) to leave the backdoor open for the Kiwis.
However, Paris on Sunday belonged to Samoa.
"At half-time you would think we were dead and buried wouldn't you?" Samoa coach Damian McGrath said of his side's amazing comeback win.
"I said to them if they get the first score and got the momentum, then we've a chance.
"Once they saw Fiji flagging they went for the jugular and it paid off. It's fantastic for the country."
Cup Final – Samoa 29-26 Fiji
Fiji gave away two early penalties in an ill-disciplined start to the Cup Final. Samoa had an attacking line-out on the 22, but it was Fiji who came away with it through Ravouvou.
After a scrappy passage of play Fiji got the ball wide and a one-handed Leone Nakarawa pass found Isake Katonibau. Katonibau strode clear and just about had enough gas left in the tank to get to the line before Siaosi Asofolau collared him.
A power play from Josua Tuisova saw Fiji score their second try. Tuisova bumped off a defender and then offloaded to Leone Nakarawa after eventually being brought to ground. Nakarawa strode over..
Jerry Tuwai bursts past Alex Samoa on the outside and then wrong-footed his opposite number, Tila Mealoi, with a goosestep to cross for Fiji's third.
Samoa pulled back seven points through Belgium Tuatagaloa's converted try, but Tuwai was in again before they've got time to draw breath – following some outstanding work in the build up by Jasa Veremalua.
Samoa got back in the game with the first try of the second half, Tim Mealoi benefitting from a mazy run from Tomasi Alosio.
It was Mealoi time again. Belgium Tuatagaloa's flick pass inside was picked up by Mealoi, who crosses in the corner for his second of the game – 17-26 with six minutes to go.
The momentum had by now well and truly shifted, as Tuatagaloa got a pass away to Siaosi Asofolau – who ran it home from 25 metres. The extras were added and it is game on – 24-26.
Faalemiga Selesele scored the 50th try of his series career and arguably his most important as Samoa rack up 22 points without reply and won the Final.
Third-place play-off – Argentina 17-26 France
France No.7 Virimi Vakatawa was in unstoppable form in Paris and he got his side back in it by cancelling out Juan Pablo Eestelles' early score.
Argentina weren't behind for long though, as Franco Sabato dummied his way to the line.
Vakatawa was at the heart of the action again as his behind the back pass found Julien Candelon and Les Bleus' veteran crossed for his 104th series try – despite the close attentions of Axel Muller.
The words marchons, marchons rang out as the Stade Jean Bouin crowd gave a hearty half-time rendition of La Marseillaise. With that terrific support behind them France started the second half on fire and Vakatawa is denied a second try when he narrowly failed to ground the ball in the in-goal area.
Vakatawa was not to be denied this time as he stepped and fended his way to the tryline. France lead by nine with two minutes to go.
Jean Baptiste Mazoue hit a great line to finish off a training ground, dummy-switch move, but there was still time for Argentina to get a late consolation try through Axel Muller, one of Los Pumas' standout performers.
"It's been a wonderful weekend and it is good for the fans that we finish with a win," France captain Terry Bouhraoua said.
"Virimi is an incredible player and it is good to play with him."
Plate Final – South Africa 17-7 Australia
Australia knocked on James Stannard's kick off, handing South Africa the put in at the scrum. The BlitzBoks go to the short side and Dylan Sage kicks downfield. Seabelo Senatla gave chase and won the race to the ball. The Aussies got across to tackle Senatla, but not before he off-loaded to Sage, who did well to keep up with play to score the game's opening try.
Australia found an immediate response through from another kick, Stannard's clearance from the 22 being picked up by Boyd Killingworth. The conversion was good and the Aussies lead by two.
Rosko Specman thought he was in for a try, but a superb tackle from Henry Hutchison stopped him just short of the line. Specman was then penalised for a double movement. Australia were unable to break free from the stranglehold though and after conceding a penalty of their own, Kyle Brown took a pass at pace and blasted through Stannard's tackle.
Boyd Killingworth was pinged for holding on as the second half started with more kick tennis. Francois Hougaard sensed there was no-one sweeping for the Aussies and took a quick tap. The Worcester player then carried the ball over half way before passing to Rosko Specman, who cruises home for the BlitzBoks's third try.
South Africa's work at the breakdown knew no bounds, Francois Hougaard showing great strength over the ball to effect a penalty as Australia pressed for a score. Australia continued to dominate the closing stages but all their best efforts with ball in hand were in vain in the face of some fierce tackling from the BlitzBoks.
South Africa coach Neil Powell conceded the series title is all but lost.
"Fiji have shown consistency throughout the season," Powell said.
"They need to slip up for us to have a chance to get the number one spot, but they are a quality side so they will probably take the series.
"We will come back next week and keep on fighting.
"We've had two good wins in the last two games, against New Zealand and then Australia. It's been a fantastic tournament and there's been a great vibe in the stadium."
Bowl Final – England 10-28 Scotland
James Johnstone continued his impressive form with a try and an assist as Scotland totally dominated the opening exchanges of the Bowl Final.
Five minutes in and England had yet to make a pass. To make matters worse, England were down to six men – after Richard de Carpentier is sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Damien Hoyland.
Hoyland dusted himself down and scored Scotland's third try, after fending off Cam Cowell not once but twice.
De Carpentier came back in off the naughty chair for one last play before half-time and he crossed for a try after good sleight of hand from Oliver Lindsay-Hague – for Scotland to lead 21-5 at the break.
Scotland continued where they left off by getting the first score of the second half, Jamie Farndale darting home after cutting back inside England's drift defence. Dougie Fife got sin-binned and then the handbags came out as Anglo-Scottish passions boiled over.
England pulled five back – Harry Glover's right hand pass drew in two defenders to leave Charlie Hayter with a relatively simple run in as England make their numerical advantage count.
Good defensive work from the tireless Richard de Carpentier kept the Scots at bay, but it is the men in blue who emerged victorious.
"We had a great game," Scotland captain Scott Wight said.
"We set the target of winning the Bowl and the boys have really stepped up to the plate. It is really, really positive to finish like this going into Twickenham."
Shield Final – Wales 14-19 Portugal (in sudden death extra time; teams were level 14-all at regulation full-time)
Portugal dominated the opening exchanges in the Shield Final against Wales and were rewarded with the first try when Nuno Guedes collected his own chip kick and dots down under the posts.
That was followed by a moment of magic from Aderito Esteves, who produced a sublime behind the back pass to send Pedro Leal away for his 97th series try.
Lloyd Lewis finished off a good passing move for his third try in two matches. Ethan Davies converted from wide out.
Wales got parity on the scoreboard when they executed a good set-piece move to send Ethan Davies on his way to the line. Davies converted his own try and it was all square at 14-all.
Portugal won the Shield after Esteves' off-load put Duarte Moreira in for the game-clinching try in extra-time.
Wales had originally forced extra-time, after Luke Morgan finished off a slick handling move. Angus O'Brien could have won it for the Welsh, but was wide with his conversion and a subsequent penalty drop-goal attempt.
Source: @WorldRugby
