Wellington Sevens: Live Updates

Afa Aiono and Timoteo Iosua of Samoa celebrate their win as Sherwin Stowers of New Zealand sits dejected after their semifinal loss. Photo / Getty Images

21:35: Fiji is the 2010 Wellington Sevens champions!

Samoa went agonisingly close to snatching back the game with a last gasp effort in the final seconds but desperate Fijian defence denied them a thrilling comeback.

Fiji has been the standout team all weekend and the result justified their early competition form with an outstanding team display in the finale.

Pesamino scored with a minute to go to bring Samoa within five points of their pacific brothers but Fiji held them out to deny the men in blue their second Wellington Sevens title.

Earlier in the half Emosi Vucago and Osea Kolinisau gave the Fijians a 14 point lead as the Samoans looked out of the final with two minutes to go.

Ofisa Trevaranus won the kickoff for Samoa and it was all on in the 60 seconds as Samoa tried to seek out a winner with Fiji scrambling to keep them out.

A thrilling end to what was a stop-start affair in the first half.

Although New Zealand were knocked out earlier it was great to see that the home crowd stayed till the end to watch the fitting final encounter.

21:10: Samoa and Fiji are all squared up at the interval 7-7.

Fiji scored first before Samoa came back through their flying wing Mikaele Pesamino.

Both sides have made plenty of errors during the match but it's been exciting stuff as with every final.

Which side will crack under pressure?

20:49: Australia nab it in the last minute with a fantastic try from youngster Clayton Sills.

Australia are estactic and for such a young side they played a fantastic final.

Our Tasman sea neighbours go home the victors with a 26-22 victory over South Africa.

Fiji vs Samoa up next in the 2010 NZI Sevens final.

20:38: Australia's James Stannard strikes back for Australia just before halftime to pull back the lead to 7-17.

South Africa's experience has been too much for the Aussies too handle with Frankie Horne and Mzwandile Stick showing their class.

Australia needs a quick try to close the gap on the Springboks.

20:21: Wales go through the medal ceremony collecting their Bowl trophy for their 7-5 win over France.

Australia face South Africa in the Plate final.

20:15: Wales lead France at the halfway stage 7-5 of the Bowl final.

19:50: The USA Eagles will fly home with smiles on their faces after their late win over Tonga in the Shield final 17-14.

The Las Vegas leg of the IRB sevens circuit takes place next weekend so it will be a timely boost for the Americans as they fly home to the city of sin.

Wales play France next in the Bowl final.

19:19: It's going to be a Fiji and Samoa finale a repeat of the 2007 final in Wellington.

Fiji were too strong for the English in the end with a 29-19 victory.

It's a luxury for any side to have when you can call on the likes of William Ryder from bench to give your side a spark - a comfort Fiji have.

England had too much ground to make up after Fiji piled on the points in the first half.

The Shield, Bowl, and Plate finals will commence in 10 minutes.

19:04: Fiji has the ascendency at halftime with a 21-7 lead over England.

Fiji's big men have done the damage for the pacific nation with the ability to get their arms free and give the ball off making too many problems for England.

If England want to get back in to the game Ben Golloings will be the man to do it for the English roses.

It's not over for them but if Fiji scores first in the next half the fat lady can start singing.

18:52: A disastrous second half for New Zealand as Samoa run away with the semifinal 24-7.

The home team couldn't build on their 2 point halftime lead as Samoa score three second half tries to progress to the Cup final.

Kurt Baker scored a late try in the half but it was too little too late for the Kiwis as they were put under too much pressure from their opposites.

Samoa played a superb second seven as they stuck to their guns with a strong defensive effort alongside a excellent physical presence to smother New Zealand.

Mai was Samoa's hero with a hat-trick of tries for his outstanding display.

DJ Forbes and co. came to rectify their 2009 final's loss to England last year so to go out a game before the big dance will surely hurt the courageous captain.

18:42: New Zealand go in at halftime with a slender lead 7-5.

Uale Mai scored first for the men in blue and white with a neat ry in the 3rd minute.

New Zealand's Tim Mikkelson came back with a beatuy of his own scampering away from 50 metres untouched after a dud chip kick from Reupena Levasa.

The home side need to score first to dampen Samoa's spirits.

18:30: The party's heating up at the Westpac with New Zealand and Samoa about to take the field.

The stadium is nearly three quarters full as the big Cup matches are about to kickoff.

New Zealand have the crowd behind them in this clash of old foes.

Teams News: It's been announced that veteran player Zar Lawrence will not start the match with Tim Mikkleson coming into his place.

18:17: South Africa will play Australia in the final of the Plate after beating Canada 29-5.

Ryno Benjamin was the standout performer for the SA scoring two tries to fend off Canada's late fightback.

Canada had their moments but South Africa made their chances pay off with five pointers.

New Zealand to face Samoa next up in the first Cup semifinal.

18:07: Frankie Horne scores a try late in the half to put South Africa ahead 12-5 at the break.

Canada doesn't look overawed by the occasion threatening the SA line with a couple of nice phases.

However they have failed to turn their opportunities into points with South Africa taking their chances in the match.

It would be a big shock if the canucks can pull this off.

17:58: Australia came to play in this plate semifinal and they've come away with their reward for a 26-19 victory over Kenya.

Our trans-tasman rivals have a young side but they have shown their potential with another outstanding win over a strong opponent.

Despite Kenya scoring two consolation tries to close the scoreline it was in the bag for the Australians when Karauria Henry scored early in the second half.

Australia look the goods to take out the plate title but South Africa could have their say if they can beat Canada in the next semifinal.

17:45: The Aussies comeback from their earlier poor showing against New Zealand to dominate Kenya 19-0 at halftime of the first plate semifinal.

The Kenyans look jaded and have yet to get out of first gear.

On the other hand Australia seem thirsty for blood, this could be a big scoreline if the Africans don't score first.

17:35: It's that man again from the French side Renaud Delmas who this time breaks Niuean hearts with his fine footwork.

Dalmas gets in on the action to split Niue down the middle on a number of occasions to carry his team to the bowl final in the 28-12 victory.'

He scores one and sets up two for the men in blue, he will be the man Wales need to watch out for.

France progress to play Wales.

The plate semifinals is ahead with Australia playing Kenya and Canada vs South Africa to follow.

17:27: France hold a nine point lead over Niue at the break 14-5.

Niue scored the first try but France came back almost immediately with a try of their own.

The French added a second at the end of the first half as the Niueans looked to tire after some gut busting defence.

France should take it being the fitter side - but as always its too early to count out the Niue side.

17:17: It's over! A quick tap from a penalty and Wales go hands down the left hand touchline for captain Darren Daniel to score in the corner.

Wales shut up shop inside 30 seconds to advance to the Bowl final.

17:15: Argentina and Wales go to extra time with the scores tied at 12 all.

The game saw three yellow cards handed out by the referee in what has been a scrappy affiar.

The match really lit up in the last 2 minutes with Argentina scoring then Wales replying with a seven pointer of their own.

17:00: Wales are leading 7-0 with seven minutes gone in the first Bowl semifinal.

It's been a bruising encounter with both sides playing lots of defence in an effort to suffocate the other with the ball.

The crowd are also putting on a great show with plenty of dancing and out of tune singing being heard from all corners of the ground.

Both sides need to clean up on their mistakes as the game has been a scrappy battle.

16:49: Nicholas Edwards seals the match with a try for the USA Eagles to beat Scotland 19-12.

The Scots tried to win it with a last play effort after the hooter but a knock-on undid their desperate efforts.

Unlucky for Scotland who looked the better side in most patches of the match.

Argentina meets Wales in the first Bowl semifinal with France and Niue to follow.

The crowd is packing in with the big matches coming up.

16:39: All tied up at Westpac Stadium with USA and Scotland 7-7.

The crowd is starting to build as the big matches come up in to the programme.

Mt Albert Grammar old boy Valenese Malifa was the Eagles tryscorer and coverted his own try.

16:26: Tonga charge through to the Shield final with Siaosi Iongi the star of the show in his side's 26-10 victory.

PNG have done well in their first IRB tournament showing lots of skill and speed in their play.

On the other side of the coin the physical side of their game needs more work to compete at this level especially at the ruck and tackle area.

Waisale can be proud of his Puk Puks.

16:19: PNG's enthusiasm is slowling fading as Tonga give them a lesson in tackling with some tough hits as they lead 12-0.

Waisale Serevi's bench look frustrated as their hopes of notching a win at this tournament look dimmer by the minute.

They're still in it, but they need to score tries when they get the ball, the many unforced errors is killing them.

15:56: Fiji goes through to the semifinals where they'll play against England after a 21-5 victory of South Africa.

A very good result for the Fijians with three second half tries of the highest calibre.

So the Cup semifinals will see New Zealand square off against Samoa and Fiji coming to blows with England.

The Shield semifinals will now take place with PNG vs. Tonga followed by USA playing Scotland.

15:45: Fiji score a breakout try right at halftime for a 7-0 lead.

South Africa were camped in the fijian half for the majority of the first half and should've scored a try for all their work.

However Fiji made some telling tackles on the line to keep the SA out, it's going down to the wire in this match.

15:32: England show the canadians how it's done with four tries in the second seven minutes to win 31-0.

IRB sevens' all time leading point scorer Ben Gollings showed the way for his side making vital plays to throw off Canada's hopes of a fight back.

Fiji faces South Africa next to face England in the final four.
A cracking match ahead for all sevens fans, who will England play?

15:24: It's taken a fair while to break down the door to the canadian defence but Dan Caprice scores to make it 7-0 to England at the break.

Canada were making it difficult for their much-fancied opponents England, closing down their space and ball movement.

It's a close one at the Westpac, can the Canucks come from behind to win?

15:11: Samoa take it by two with a 14-12 win over the unlucky Kenyans.

Unfortunate for the Kenyans who had all the points going into the second half but the Samoan big guns came through when it mattered most.

Samoan forward Ofisa Trevaranus was the standout for the Samoans with his power busts through the middle paving the way for his side's attacks.

England vs Canda up next.

15:02: Kenya take an early 12-0 lead over Samoa at the interval.

Samoa haven't been able to put together any decent phases with Kenya capittillising on the numerous mistake the Samoans are making.

Mikaele Pesamino and Uale Mai have been found wanting for the men in blue.

Will Kenya cause the second upset of the day?

14:50: Tim Mikkelson's last minute try pushes New Zealand out in front and into the Cup semi-final with a 24-12 win.

Australia scored first in the second stanza however the home side's late try was enough to shrug off Australia's hopes of getting back in the game.

New Zealand looking sharp at this stage - Stowers is the go-to-man.

Kenya and Samoa faceoff to find the challenger for the NZ semi-final.

14:40: Three tries in the first half has seen New Zealand shoot to 19-5 lead over Australia at the break.

Sherwin Stowers' attacking brilliance has again shone through with a try assist and try of his own.

Pat McCutcheon struck back for the Aussies, before Lote Raikabula dotted down at the sound of the halftime hooter.

14:24: A big win for Niue, their fans will be happy as the small island nation get there in the end 17-12 over Scotland.

They book a date with France in the Bowl semifinals, but Scottish player Andrew Turnball had the chance to win it but botched a clear seven pointer.

Up next, series leaders New Zealand meet Australia in a do-or-die matchup.

The crowd are moving in quickly to watch the host nation in action.

14:13: Niue's two early tries were enough to put them in front 12-5 at halftime against Scotland in the last Bowl quarterfinal.

Scotland had their chances to pull back the lead after they struck back with a try but a floating pass was ruled forward with the line open.

Niue could cause an upset, hopefully our pacific brothers can get the job done.

The New Zealand side are on the field warming up for their quarterfinal matchup with Australia.

14:01: Delmas is at it again, the gas man sets up another try for France from his own half for a 21-10 victory.

Shalom Suniula scores a consolation try for the Eagles - a dissapointing display from the American side who have fared better at other IRB tournaments.

13:51: France get off to a flying start with winger Renaud Delmas scoring two tries off the back of his speed for a 17-5 lead.

Valenese Malifa scoring the USA Eagles' solo first half try.

13:40: Argentina adds another try to their first half total to win 17-7.

It wasn't all one way for Argentina with Tonga scoring a great team try which had more loops than a roller coaster, entertaining play from our pacific neighbours.

USA Eagles vs France next.

13:29: Argentina sneaks in two quick tries before halftime to lead Tonga 12-0.

Tonga's tendency to pick up indiscretions at the ruck area cost them vital yards which led to Argentina's five pointers.

A tight game, Tonga can take it if they keep the ball in hand and the Argentineans out of the red zone.

13:18: Wales's Alex Cuthbert has too much speed for the PNG defence as he score both tries in the second half to put them away 34-12.

The red dragons were too good and too well organised for the Waisale Serevi coached Papua side.

The Latino dazzlers Argentina meet the hard tackling team from Tonga next.

13:08: PNG are doing their best to hang on to Wales, with the Puk Puks trailing Wales 12-19.

Papua are giving Wales their best shot with two great tries in the first half against the more established side.

Wales are the bigger, stronger side with their physicality at the breakdown causing plenty of problems for the PNG side.

* All the latest on the second day of action at the NZI Sevens in Wellington, the third leg in the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.

Stay with nzherald.co.nz as we update you on the action from Westpac Stadium beginning at 1.00 pm.

The final's day begins with action from the Bowl competition as Papua New Guinea clash with Wales in today's opening match.

The top qualifiers from day one will faceoff in the Cup knockout stage at 2.30pm when series leaders New Zealand confront archrivals Australia.

The other Cup quarterfinal bouts to follow will see Samoa against Kenya, England meet Canada and Fiji take on the might of South Africa.