New Zealand cruise to Sevens glory

New Zealand won the third round of the 2009 IRB World Sevens Series after beating England 29-14 at the Westpac Stadium.

The United States sealed the first of the trophies at the Wellington round of the IRB Sevens with a 19-12 win over France in a hard-fought encounter in the Shield final.

Tonga were unable to trouble the scorers as the succumbed 19-0 to a well-drilled Kenyan outfit in the final of the Bowl section.

Fiji edged perennial Plate performers South Africa in the final of the second section of the series, with the Islanders coming out on top 26-12 against a developing South Africa side.

All that was left was for the Kiwis to round of the competition in style with a great win to leave the home support in raptures.

Cup Final: New Zealand 29-14 England

New Zealand clinched victory at the NZI Sevens in Wellington, beating England 29-14 to draw level with them at the top of the HSBC Sevens World Series standings after three events.

Declan O'Donnell was the home hero at a rainy Westpac Stadium, scoring four tries in the final to take his try tally for the tournament to 11 and secure a first home Cup title for New Zealand since 2008.

Isoa Damu's converted try gave England an early 7-0 lead but O'Donnell soon hit back for the home side and with England leading 7-5 nearing the break the same man scored again to give New Zealand a 12-7 half time lead.

Almost immediately after the resumption the New Zealanders extended their lead when playmaker in chief Tomasi Cama sliced through some unusually threadbare English defence and, although the 2009 champions refused to buckle, the Kiwis played an intelligent match despite being without injured captain DJ Forbes for most of the match.

With one minute remaining O'Donnell snatched a fourth score and although Simon Hunt touched down a late consolation try it was the home fans who went home singing.

New Zealand and England are now tied in first place in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings on 60 points apiece.

Plate Final: Fiji 26-12 South Africa

Despite relinquishing their NZI Sevens title at the Cup quarter-final stage, Fiji finished on a high at the Westpac by beating South Africa 26-12 to take the Plate, and 12 points towards their World Series tally.

The Fijians lost out to Samoa in their last eight clash but recovered to beat Argentina 28-0 in their Plate semi-final and were then equally impressive in seeing off the Boks in the final, winning 26-12 with tries by Ilai Tinai, Mitieli Nacagilevu, Watisoni Votu and Peni Gaunimeke.

Bowl Final: Kenya 19-0 Tonga

Kenya won their first HSBC Sevens World Series points of the season by beating Tonga 19-0 to secure the Bowl title. Tries by Biko Adema, Sidney Ashioya and captain Humphrey Kayange carried them to victory.

Shield Final: United States 19-12 France

USA won a fine Shield final 19-12 against France to take silverware back to the States one week out from their home tournament, the USA Sevens in Las Vegas. Tai Enosa, Ronald Suniula and veteran Paul Emerick all scored in a physical battle against the improved French.

Cup semi-finals:
New Zealand 26 - 5 Wales
England 7 -5 Samoa

Hosts New Zealand will be looking to win their first NZI Sevens title since 2008 when they face England in the final after beating rivals Australia 17-0 in the semis.

Declan O'Donnell scored his sixth and seventh tries of the tournament either side of a Tim Mikkelson effort, sending the home crowd into raptures as Gordon Tietjens' side cemented their place in the final.

HSBC Sevens World Series leaders England had already become the first side to reach the final by beating Samoa 7-5, meaning they have reached all three of the finals so far this season.

Ofisa Treviranus had given the reigning World Series champions the lead but a second half try from John Brake, converted by captain Ben Gollings, ensured England reached their third successive final. Samoa missed a golden opportunity when England were reduced to six men, but they could not score with the try line begging at the death.

Plate Semi-finals:
South Africa 22 - 5 Wales
Argentina 0 - 28 Fiji

Defending NZI Sevens champions Fiji will play South Africa in the Plate final after they beat Argentina 28-0 and Wales 22-5 in their respective semi finals as they rain began to fall at the Westpac Stadium.

Tries from Mitieli Nacagilevu (2), Apisai Navuoro and captain Emosi Vucago ensured Iliesa Tanivula's side would compete in the Plate final whilst Branco du Preez (2), Lubabalo Mtembu and Paul Jordaan all scored for Paul Treu's side who will be looking for their second Plate triumph this season.

Bowl Semi-finals:

Tonga 12 - 7 Cook Islands
Scotland 12 - 15 Kenya

Four Series points are still on offer for the winner of the Bowl competition which will be won by either Kenya or Tonga. Vaea Tangilau Poteki scored both Tonga's two tries as the 2008 NZI Cup semi finalists continued their good from on day two by beating the Cook Islands 12-7 in the semi finals.

Kenya were the first side through to the final after they scored with the last play of the match for the second time on day two.

Biko Adema crossed after the buzzer had sounded to record a 15-12 victory over Scotland whilst earlier, having trailed 14-12 for the entire second half in their Bowl quarter final, Andrew Amonde scored with the last play of the match to help Kenya beat Canada 19-14.

Shield semi-finals:

USA 7-24 Scotland
France 52-12 Papa New Guinea

USA reached the Shield final after a convincing 31-7 victory over North American rivals Canada. Canada had taken a 7-0 lead through Taylor Paris but tries from Justin Boyd, Tai Enosa (2), Zach Test and Roland Suniula secured a 31-7 victory for Al Caravelli's side.

Paul Albaladejo and Mathieu Acebes both scored twice in the opening half of the second semi final as France proved too strong for Shane Howarth's Papua New Guinea running out eventual 52-12 winners. 

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