New Zealand seized control of the final with a fine first half display against Fiji, but then had to withstand an incredible fight back from the islanders to win the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens for the first time since 2002. 

Leading 21-0 at the break after tries by Zar Lawrence (2) and Nigel Hunt, Gordon Tietjens' men stretched that advantage to 26-0 when Steven Yates crossed after Neumi Nanuku became the second Fijian player to be sin-binned in the final.

Fiji threw caution to the wind, attacking from everywhere and were rewarded Nanuku, Vereniki Goneva and Akuila Nawerecagi touched down to cut the deficit to five with little more than a minute remaining.

However there was to be no fairytale fourth try for Fiji, that instead going to New Zealand when Yates rounded off a move in which they appeared to have knocked on, clinching a 31-21 victory. 

The win represents New Zealand's third consecutive IRB Sevens Cup title after their crowning glory last season and gets their Series title defence off to the best possible start.

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Two tries from Tomasi Cama had seen New Zealand recover from Renfred Dazel's opening try to lead South Africa 12-7 at half time in the first Cup semi-final. South Africa, who were missing the injured Mzwandile Stick, had beaten New Zealand in last year's final and thought they had won again when a Fabian Juries try was ruled out for a forward pass to him by Danwel Demas.

The second semi-final was equally dramatic with Tom Guest among the scorers as England fought back to trail Fiji by a single point - 22-21 - with little time remaining. The young England team thought they had then snatched it, but the ball was ruled held up and they could not find another way through.

Fiji had earlier ended Scotland's Cup challenge with a 28-5 defeat of Scotland, just as convincing as New Zealand's 40-7 victory over Argentina. South Africa though endured a scare, their 17-0 half time lead evaporating to just two as the fast finishing Kenyans scored three second half tries.

PLATE 

Argentina won an equally dramatic Plate final with a 15-14 defeat of Samoa in a match which was the classic game of two halves. Samoa, beaten 26-19 by England in the Cup quarter-finals, led 14-0 at the break with tries by Pulemalie Sopo and Alafoti Fa'osiliva and seemed on course for victory.

But Argentina are renowned for their spirit and three quickfire tries - all of them unconverted - from Alejandro Abadie, record try scorer Santiago Gomez Cora and Agustin Gosio saw them deny Samoa the silverware in Dubai.

Argentina and Samoa will contest the Plate final after ending the challenges of Kenya and Scotland respectively. Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino scored two tries as Argentina ran out 17-14 winners, despite a last gasp try by Kenya's Collins Injera.

Samoa also found the going difficult against Scotland, who took the lead when Colin Gregor collected on the bounce to touch down. Two tries from Reupena Levasa stretched the lead before Scotland fought back to 21-19 only for Alafoti Fa'osiliva to score his second try of the match. 

BOWL 

Australia claimed the Bowl title after overcoming a brave Canadian outfit 31-0 with the electric Peter Owens scoring a hat-trick of tries. Canada went into the match without their wing Daniel van der Merwe due to an ankle ligament injury, and then saw Nathan Hirayama join him on crutches by its conclusion.

Van der Merwe and Hirayama had earlier helped Canada overcome France 21-5 in the semi-final and their North American rivals USA 21-12 in the last eight. Australia, meanwhile, had withstood a Welsh fight back to win their semi-final 22-19, after earlier dispatching Arabian Gulf 36-5.

Wales had needed a late try from James Merriman to pip Tunisia 17-12 in their quarter-final, while Zimbabwe had given France a scare with a fight back before Loic Mazieres crossed twice for a 24-19 victory. 

SHIELD 

Zimbabwe won the Shield with the last play of the game when Gerald Sibanda's brilliant step left the Tunisian defence flat-footed to go under the posts for his second try of the final and one that clinched a 22-19 victory.

Tunisia had started brightly, but tired at the end as Zimbabwe's pace proved the difference with the flying Wensley Mbanje also scoring a try double to show why he'd been shortlisted for the star of the tournament. 

Sibanda and Tangai Nemadire had earlier helped Zimbabwe recover from 17-5 down at half time against USA to triumph 29-17 in the semi-final, while Tunisia ran out more convincing winners - 36-0 against the Arabian Gulf.

STANDINGS

1. New Zealand - 20
2. Fiji - 16
3= England - 12
3= South Africa - 12
5. Argentina - 8
6. Samoa - 6
7= Kenya - 4
7= Scotland - 4
9. Australia - 2