3 Dec 2007

New Zealand prevails against Fiji in Dubai final

6:23 am on 3 December 2007

The New Zealand Sevens side had to withstand a ferocious comeback from Fiji to win the IRB World series event in Dubai.

New Zealand has won its first Dubai event in five years with a 31-21 win against Fiji in the Cup final.

New Zealand had a 21 nil lead at halftime and then led 26 nil before Fiji roared back to cut the defecit to five points with less than a minute remaining.

But New Zealand made things comfortable with a dying seconds try that had Fiji coach Jo Savou fuming on the side line,arguing it was from a knock on.

New Zealand beat South Africa 12-7 in the semis while Fiji accounted for England 22-21.

In the quarters New Zealand downed Argentina 40-7 while Fiji ousted Scotland 28-5.

Samoa was beaten 15-14 in the plate final by Argentina after Samoa had been defeated 26-19 by England in the Cup quarter finals.

Samoa topped its pool after wins against USA,Kenya and a 19-14 victory against Wales.

Australia claimed the Bowl title after punishing Canada 31 nil while Zimbabwe won the Shield with a 22-19 win against Tunisia.

Australia lost two of its three pool games to Fiji,46-12, and Argentina,19-12, but beat Zimbabwe 28-21

New Zealand will head to the next round in George wih 20 points, 4 better than Fiji with Samoa 6th with six points, behind England South Africa and Argentina