Fiji take the spoils in Dubai

Defending HSBC Sevens Series champions Fiji got their 2015/16 season off to a perfect start as they rolled through all comers topped off with a Cup final victory against England. An early try for Tom Bowen put the champions on alert, but Savenaca Rawaca burst through to draw it level and from then on they never looked like losing. Jasa Veremalua, Isake Katonibau, and the superb Jerry Tuwai added scores before the break, and with the title all but wrapped up Fiji put things in cruise control to coast home.

Even the mighty New Zealand proved no obstacle in the semi, and Australia bowed graciously in the quarter-final. For the Kiwis it was a tournament to forget, losing not once but twice to the USA, the second a ferocious beating in the Bronze final. The Eagles were full value for their 3rd place finish, only just missing out on the Cup final after a late score from Phil Burgess put England through instead.

Australia were also disappointing, dropping the Plate final to South Africa to finish in 6th place, far below pre-tournament expectations. Argentina came through without much fanfare, ending up tied for 7th spot with Samoa. They gave England a good battle in the Cup quarter final before being outclassed by the Blitzbokke in the Plate semi.

France took home the Bowl with a convincing win over Scotland, while Canada finished their tournament on two wins by beating Japan to leave with the Shield. It was a positive ending to an otherwise lackluster showing from the North Americans. Round 2 kicks off in Cape Town next Saturday, December 12.

DUBAI SEVENS DAY 2 RESULTS

BOWL QUARTER – Japan 12 – 17 Kenya
BOWL QUARTER – France 38 – 5 Russia
BOWL QUARTER – Wales 24 – 14 Canada
BOWL QUARTER – Scotland 21 – 14 Portugal

CUP QUARTER – Fiji 19 – 12 Australia
CUP QUARTER – New Zealand 24 – 21 Samoa
CUP QUARTER – England 14 – 7 Argentina
CUP QUARTER – South Africa 19 – 21 USA

SHIELD SEMI – Japan 21 – 19 Russia
SHIELD SEMI – Canada 31 – 14 Portugal

BOWL SEMI – Kenya 7 – 33 France
BOWL SEMI – Wales 14 – 17 Scotland

PLATE SEMI – Australia 28 – 10 Samoa
PLATE SEMI – Argentina 5 – 26 South Africa

CUP SEMI – Fiji 19 – 5 New Zealand
CUP SEMI – England 24 – 19 USA

SHIELD FINAL – Japan 17 – 19 Canada
BOWL FINAL – France 24 – 14 Scotland
PLATE FINAL – Australia 14 – 19 South Africa
BRONZE FINAL – New Zealand 12 – 31 USA
CUP FINAL – Fiji 28 – 17 England