NZ make it two in a row

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New Zealand extended their lead at the top of the IRB World Sevens Series with a well-worked 21-12 victory over Fiji in the final of the Emirates Airline George Sevens tournament at Outeniqua Park Saturday.

The New Zealanders bounced back from their defeat in the first game of the tournament to Samoa to add the George title to their Dubai Sevens title they won a week earlier and give themselves a healthy lead early on in the IRB World Series.

Gordon Tietjens side used their superior defence and ability to counter when it was needed to down the unpredictable Fijians, who had earlier ousted defending champs South Africa in the quarterfinal.

As South Africa learnt last year, a good start in the series is exceptionally important and it will be difficult to stop the Kiwis from claiming another World Series title if they have a consistent season of reaching the semi-finals in the remaining six tournaments.

It was the sixth time that New Zealand had reached the George Sevens final, winning four of these to continue their success in the Southern Cape in this tournament.

New Zealand got the final off to a bang when Ben Souness finished off a lovely move which went through seven pairs of hands before crossing the line for the only score of a tight first half.

But in the second it was New Zealand who took control as Kurt Baker broke along the far touchline, twisted inside and gave the ball out to captain DJ Forbes who went in at the corner for the try.

Fiji finally found their mojo through Osea Kolinisau, who broke three tackles and stepped inside two more for a brilliant individual score to get them onto the board.

Save Tokula took the New Zealanders further out with a try down the middle after Fiji coughed up the ball on attack and not even a late score by Fiji's talisman William Ryder was enough to stop the Kiwis from taking the title.

Fiji had the consolation of having Pio Tuwai named as the player of the tournament for his inspirational individual flair and form over the two days.

* In the Bowl final, World Cup holders Wales were too good for the impressive Russian side to win 14-5 and claim their first silverware of the season.

Tries by Craig Hill and Lee Rees sealed it for the Welsh while Russian eventually came back with a late try to Lev Sleptsov to trouble the scorers before the final whistle.

* In the Shield final, Scotland finally played to some of the potential that they have promised, in beating France 28-19 to win the Shield final thanks to an 18-point haul by Mike Adamson.

Adamson kicked four conversions and scored two tries to add to the brace scored by Grant Anderson which saw off a French challenge that was disappointing over the two days.

Not even tries by Jeremy Sinzelle, Renaud Delmas and Yohan Durquet could stop the Scottish from claiming the shield trophy.

Read more on the latest rugby news page.

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