HSBC Sevens World Series – New Zealand Sevens
Fiji clinch Wellington crown
Fiji took their first title of the HSBC Sevens World Series this season by defeating South Sea Island rivals Samoa in the final.
Captain Emosi Vucage scored a try and converted two others as Fiji beat Samoa 19-14 in a tight final, clinching their first title in Wellington since 2006.
Samoa star Mikaele Pesamino scored two tries – his sixth and seventh of the tournament – with his second coming minute before the final whistle to cue desperate Fijian defending to protect their lead.
That they did and Iliesa Tanivula's side were the stand-out performers throughout the competition, exhibiting traditional Fijian power, pace and trickery to overpower all before them.
Fiji flyer Osea Kolinisau joined Pesamino on seven tries to lead the try scoring charts and his colleague William Ryder grabbed 45 points in total.
Reflecting on his side’s hard grafting before and during the New Zealand Sevens, Vucage said: "We've sacrificed a lot. In Dubai and George we lost in the semi finals and we went back to Fiji and trained hard. On New Year's Eve we were in camp and that's why we've won the tournament today - we're very proud."
Fiji’s win closes the gap on New Zealand to four points at the top of the HSBC Sevens World Series standings after Gordon Tietjens' side were undone by Samoa in the cup semi final.
The hosts had won the opening two rounds of the Series in their quest for a ninth overall title in 11 seasons but the South Sea Islanders dominance in Wellington suggests they will not have it all their own way.
The full results of all matches at the New Zealand Sevens are available on the IRB website.
England in Wellington
Injury-hit England performed admirably in New Zealand before going down 28-19 to eventual winners Fiji in the cup semi final.
Young stars Mat Turner of Bristol – who bagged six tries overall – and Dan Caprice of Blackheath scored in the semi and produced mature performances throughout the competition after England lost captain Kevin Barrett on day one and sevens veteran Isoa Damudamu before play started.
Wins on day one over USA, Tonga and Kenya saw Ben Ryan’s side top a tough pool but too much ball was turned over against Fiji to advance any further.
England star Ben Gollings, the HSBC Sevens World Series all-time record points scorer, said England ran Fiji close and showed their potential.
He said: "I thought we had the goods, we just didn't put it together. It was tight, that's what those semi finals are like, the bounce of the ball, and we didn't hold onto it well enough, we weren't patient enough and the Fijians make you pay.
"We are a young squad, apart from myself, and they are really growing up and improving tournament by tournament. To be honest, we should be in a final."
