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Saturday 3 February 2007
Samoa surprise Fiji in Wellington final
If there was ever an expected mismatch in an IRB 7s final, this was it: Fiji, romping through the tournament without breaking sweat, versus Samoa, who hadn't won any of their matches by more than a single try. But Samoa upstaged the favourites and held on to win 17-14 for their first-ever IRB 7s tournament title since the series began in 1999.
Digicel Fiji had earlier wiped the turf with New Zealand to beat the hosts 31-0 (let's hope Helen Clark was watching) after thumping Canada 60-0 in the quarters. Yet maybe Fiji paid the price for thinking the final was won before they ran out onto the field. Samoa played intelligently slow, using up time any which way; and Fiji missed some simple scoring chances then paid the price.
So Fiji head for San Diego having cut the gap to eight points behind New Zealand and South Africa. Though Samoa won this battle, Fiji have rediscovered their form of last year and should be more determined to finish the job off next week.
England win Plate
England came from behind to beat France in a tight Plate final 21-12, tries from Simon Amor, Rob Thirlby and Daniel Gray overhauling a lead established through efforts from Montagnat and Deniau.
The result means that England repeat their performance of last year in Wellington, taking eight series points, while France travel on to San Diego with six.
England recovered from their Cup quarter final loss against New Zealand to come from behind and beat Canada 29-7 with Daniel Gray among the tries.
Thierry Janeczek's side built a 19-0 lead against crowd favourites Kenya and, despite a brief rally by the African side, ran out 26-5 winners in their semi, Nicolas Couttet's late try sealing the victory. Canada and Kenya each take four series points from Wellington.
Pumas win Bowl
Argentina overcame Tonga in a physical bowl final to win 12-5 and take two points for the series. Tevita Tuifua put the Tongans ahead but Francisco Bosch pulled the Pumas level just before the break. The second half was tighter still as both sides' defences held firm until Bosch pounced on Santiago Gomez Cora's clever through kick to seal victory.
Tonga earlier overcame first Papua New Guinea and then the Cook Islands to reach the Bowl final with Tuifua impressive throughout.
Argentina needed extra time to secure their final place after Australia fought from behind to level before Pablo Gomez Cora scored the golden try to take them through.
Portugal capture Shield title
Portugal set aside the disappointment of their opening loss on day two against the Cook Islands to take the Shield title, beating Scotland in the final.
With coach Tomaz Morais and a clutch of players on European Nations Cup duty, the side did their country proud to beat a rejuvenated Scotland 26-24 in a fine match, Sebastiao Cunha crossing at the death to snatch what had looked an unlikely victory.
Digicel Fiji 7s squad for Wellington:
Emosi Vucago (Nadroga), Etonia Naba (Nadroga), Lepani Nabuliwaqa (Suva), Mesake Davu (Nadroga), Mosese Volavola (Nadroga), Nasoni Roko (Naitasiri), Semisi Naevo (NEC, Japan), Setefano Cakau (Namosi), Simeli Koniferedi (Nadroga), Simione Saravanua (NZ), Waisale Serevi (Suva), William Ryder (Bua)
* Naevo sustained a rib injury. Serevi Serevi flew over to replace him at the San Diego 7s but Naevo recovered in time.
Fiji 60 Canada 0
Half-time: 31-0
Fiji: Semisi Naevo, Mosese Volavola, Etonia Naba, Emosi Vucago, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, William Ryder, Simione Saravanua
Reserves: Waisale Serevi, Simeli Koniferedi, Nasoni Roko, Setefano Cakau, Mesake Davu
Tries: Vucago, Saravanua (2), Nabuliwaqa (2), Ryder, Roko (2), Cakau, Volavola
Conversions: Ryder (4), Nabuliwaqa
Fiji 31 NZ 0
Half-time: 14-0
Fiji: Semisi Naevo, Mosese Volavola, Etonia Naba, Emosi Vucago, William Ryder, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Simione Saravanua
Reserves: Simeli Koniferedi, Nasoni Roko, Waisale Serevi, Setefano Cakau, Mesake Davu
Tries: Nabuliwaqa, Ryder, Saravanua, Vucago, Cakau
Conversions: Ryder (3)
Fiji 14 Samoa 17
Half-time: 0-14
Fiji: Semisi Naevo, Mosese Volavola, Etonia Naba, Simione Saravanua, Emosi Vucago, William Ryder, Lepani Nabuliwaqa
Reserves: Setefano Cakau, Nasoni Roko, Waisale Serevi, Simeli Koniferedi, Mesake Davu
Tries: Cakau, Roko
Conversions: Ryder (2)
Pool A
Fiji 42 Portugal 0, France 17 USA 14, Fiji 43 USA 0, France 22 Portugal 14, Portugal 26 USA 21, Fiji 47 France 7
Pool B
South Africa 24 Canada 10, Australia 35 Cook Islands 17, South Africa 31 Cook Islands 12, Canada 12 Cook Islands 24, South Africa 27 Australia 7, Australia 12 Canada 26
Pool C
England 33 Scotland 12, Samoa 26 Papua New Guinea 0, England 22 Papua New Guinea 7, Samoa 31 Scotland 26, Scotland 17 Papua New Guinea 12, England 12 Samoa 19
Pool D
New Zealand 38 Kenya 0, Argentina 12 Tonga 14, New Zealand 19 Tonga 5, Argentina 14 Kenya 32, Kenya 24 Tonga 7, New Zealand 33 Argentina 5
Shield
Semis: Portugal 26 Papua New Guinea 19, Scotland 26 USA 19; Final: Portugal 26 Scotland 24
Bowl
Quarters: Portugal 12 Cook Islands 24, Tonga 19 Papua New Guinea 12, Scotland 12 Argentina 17, Australia 33 USA 14, Semis: Cook Islands 7 Tonga 29, Argentina 26 Australia 21; Final: Tonga 5 Argentina 12
Plate
Semis: Canada 7 England 29, Kenya 5 France 26; Final: England 21 France 12
Cup
Quarters: Fiji 60 Canada 0, New Zealand 14 England 7, Samoa 26 Kenya 21, South Africa 26 France 14; Semis: Fiji 31 New Zealand 0, Samoa 14 South Africa 12; Final: Fiji 14 Samoa 17
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