Fiji take the Cup final at the USA Sevens
Fiji beat New Zealand 35-19 to lift the Cup at the USA Sevens for the first time since 2007 at round five of the HSBC Sevens World Series. A brace of tries to Fiji's elusive Jerry Tuwai and Semi Kunatani paved the way for a convincing win for the Pacific islanders.
"It means a lot for us. We've talked about improving our defence and discipline and today it has paid off," said captain Osea Kolinisau, who missed the final through injury. "One of the strengths of the team is that we are in this together and we proved that this weekend."
Both finalists close the gap on series leaders South Africa, with just seven points now separating the top three. The Blitzboks maintain their place in first with 93 series points, with New Zealand (88) and Fiji (86) in second and third respectively as the series passes the halfway stage in Las Vegas.
The hosts USA received 15 points and move up to seventh in the series standings after finishing fourth at the Sam Boyd Stadium, while Australia's Plate final win over England gives them a three-point cushion over England in fourth as the race for Olympic qualification continues.
Elsewhere Kenya beat Argentina to win the Bowl and Portugal defeated Wales in the Shield final.
In the Cup final Fiji's Vatemo Ravouvou scooped up a loose ball in his own half before offloading to Tuwai who out-sprinted the defence to score for a 7-0 lead. Tuwai found space again soon after, this time within the attacking 22, extending the lead to 14-0 before a Savenaca Rawaca try closed out a near perfect first half for the Pacific islanders.
Both sides traded tries early in the second half, New Zealand's Jack Goodhue responding to a Semi Kunatani try before Kunatani stretched out for his second for a 35-5 lead, ensuring the win for Ben Ryan's men. Joe Webber picked up a late double for the All Black Sevens, reducing the final margin to 16 points.
In the Cup semis a Kunatani double helped Fiji to the win, denying the Blitzboks a third consecutive finals appearance in Las Vegas while New Zealand put paid to the USA's chances of their first Cup final since 2010 with exciting youngster Rieko Ioane bagging a double in the first half as the reigning series champions won 26-12 to set up a repeat of the Pool A match which Ben Ryan's side won 14-12.
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