bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Associated Press


Fiji won their first Dubai Sevens rugby title since 1998 by blitzing last season’s two best teams, New Zealand in the semi-finals and South Africa in the final on Saturday.
Fiji gave New Zealand, the World Cup and world series champion and winner of the first leg at Gold Coast, their heaviest defeat in the series’ 15-year history by 44-0 then proceeded to score four tries in the final before South Africa replied.
The Fijians comfortably won 29-17 to give Ben Ryan his first success as their new coach.
“I had to keep them level-headed after the semi but I didn’t need to do anything,” Ryan, the former England coach, said. “They were humble and ready to go. We were in control. We have amazing talent on the island and this is the start for us.”
Fiji’s sevens talent has been far less of a doubt than their consistency. They have won the series only once, in 2006, and started this series with a quarter-final loss in Gold Coast.
But in their first final in five tournaments going back to last season, Benito Masilevu was over 90 seconds in, and again in the eighth minute from a patient pass by Pio Tuwai. A minute later, South Africa had a man sin-binned and Samisoni Viriviri scored from the kick-off.
From 19-0 at half-time, it became 24-0 when Osea Kolinisau spoiled South Africa scrum ball and flicked it to his side and Emosi Mulevoro ran in untouched from halfway.
While Jona Tuitoga was in the bin, South Africa hit back with tries to Cheslin Kolbe and Sampie Mastriet, but Kolinisau set up replacement Leo Naikasau. Chris Dry finished the scoring for South Africa.
South Africa beat England 26-12 in the semi-finals, and host the next leg in Port Elizabeth next weekend.


HSBC SVNS Series: Hong Kong’s terrible start to qualifier a ‘reality check’, says coach

Hong Kong Sevens adds new fan village as it prepares for Kai Tak debut

Argentina still the sevens kings of Vancouver, while All Blacks women reign supreme

Kaiser Chiefs, DJ Pete Tong, RubberBand to rock ‘new’ house of Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak

HSBC Sevens World Series

Fiji end 15-year wait for Dubai Sevens title

Fiji's Emosi Mulevoro heads for the try line in the matchup against South Africa in the final of the Dubai Sevens. Photo: Reuters 

Dubai gets its groove back

Fiji celebrate winning the Cup to close a thrilling tournament in Dubai. Photo: AP

Jury still out on Dubai Sevens

England's Sam Edgerley evades a tackle from Folau Niua of the USA during Friday's first day of action at the Dubai Sevens. Photo: AP

Sport

Rugby

Pacific Islanders blitz New Zealand in the semi-finals and South Africa in the final


Fiji won their first Dubai Sevens rugby title since 1998 by blitzing last season’s two best teams, New Zealand in the semi-finals and South Africa in the final on Saturday.
