30 Mar 2009

Pacific teams shine at the IRB Hong Kong World Series

11:37 am on 30 March 2009

The Fiji sevens coach is in no doubt that celebrations will be going on back home, after his side won the Hong Kong sevens title for the first time in 10 years.

Fiji beat South Africa 26-24 in the final with a new look team after ditching overseas based stars who were humbled at this months World Cup quarter finals by Kenya.

The game could have gone into sudden death but South Africa captain Mzwandile Stick missed the conversion to tie the game after the final hooter.

Fiji led 19-12 at halftime but in the second half indiscipline saw two of their players sin binned.

Iliesa Tanivula says despite past problems he's proud of his players

"Some problems back home probably one of the things that put us together get us together as a nation yeah and I'm sure they're celebrating back home now credit to the boys I wouldn't have asked for anything more awesome, awesome."

Fiji has won the Hong Kong title 10 times since the tournament started in 1976, the last time in 1999.

In other results Tonga beat Canada 14-12 to win the Plate final...

nd Tonga's captain Viliame Ma'afu says winning in Hong Kong was great given they don't cover the whole world series circuit

We only go to three tournaments, everytime we play we always start to get to the top we know we have the ability to win finals we did it today even though it wasn't the cup final we still happy we here to take something home.

Samoa who made it through to the semfinal were knocked out by eventual finalists South Afirica 29-3.