Hong Kong Sevens  Results Day 3 - Sunday 29 March 2009

- Looking for 2010? Go to: Results from the 2010 HK Sevens -

- As the below was written at the stadium, with the noise, threat of rain which never materialised, missile and other crowd distractions, as well as the extremely fast-paced rugby to keep track of, we have decided to leave it exactly as is. Rather than rewrite the whole thing, we have chosen to not change any of it, but keep the whole page as an almost minute by minute guide of what happened on the thrilling last day of the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens. Once finished the hundreds of pictures will be uploaded to our Pictures of the Hong Kong Sevens Page. We hope you enjoy. -

What a great day of rugby everyone at the Hong Kong Sevens enjoyed yesterday. England are looking very strong and may well have kept their clean sheet if they had not substituted some key players. Their next match against Fiji won't be easy, but the Fijians have still to find their form and may find it hard going against a team that has a great understanding and immense speed and skill. New Zealand are also looking very strong, as always, and we would not bet against them meeting England in the semis.

The weather today looks as undecided about what it wants to do, as it did yesterday. The pitch is wet from a soft drizzle that only stopped around 8:45, the sky is grey but hopefully it will hold out and will remain dry throughout the day. It is not hot, and the conditions are ideal for a perfect day of rugby.

We will soon be updating our Pictures of the Hong Kong Sevens page with all the hundreds of pictures from the 2009 event. Not something to be missed!

Japan and Sri Lanka kicked off the rugby at 9:45. All the games to be played today (Sunday) are as follows:

The results from each of the matches played on Sunday will be posted above. You can also check the Results from Day 2 of the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens here.

In the first games on Sunday, Japan - always strong competitors - played well against Sri Lanka and earned a deserved victory. Portugal in the following game against China, played their best game of the tournament so far, and beat a tired looking China 5 - 33. China played very well in the pool games almost upsetting Sevens World Champions Wales on Saturday, but seemed to run out of steam in their Bowl Quarter Final against Portugal who had until today not impressed. Japan could well prove much more difficult for the Portuguese in the semi final.

In the second Plate Quarter Final, Scotland again underperformed and were beaten by a decent Tonga side 29 - 0.

In the South Stand, which is not serving jugs this year, but 1 litre plastic glasses instead, the party is well underway with frequent games of keep the ball being played against the poor security guards. The security guards have to try and collect the plastic balls and other toys so they can remove them from the stand. The crowd however, are intent on keeping the balls etc and throw them around the stand in a harmless bit of fun. Not sure who is winning that game! Looks like a draw to me.

Maximum decibels as the crowd goes wild cheering their home team, Hong Kong, against a solid Canada side. The Canadians are not here to make friends however, and draw first blood to make it 0 - 7. A second try under the posts makes it 0 - 14 at half time. Canada are just too strong and seconds into the second half score another under the posts to make it 0 - 21. The Canadians are playing extremely well this year, and can be very proud of their performance. They seem to get better each year. Takes almost 5 minutes for Hong Kong to reward their fans, with a well worked try. The game ends 5 - 26.

A very tightly contested game between the USA and Wales, saw the Sevens World Champions, Wales, win 21 - 22. It could have ended differently with Wales conceding a scrum in their own half with just 2 seconds on the clock. The USA did not take advantage however and Wales kicked to touch the first chance they got. The USA, like Canada, improve each year and are fast becoming serious contenders in the world of rugby sevens.

And now for the massive Cup encounter between South Africa and Australia, two of the best teams in world rugby. South Africa take the lead after just 2 minutes with a try, pulling the conversion just wide, to make it 5 - 0. Two minutes later, Australia score in the corner, but miss the conversion to level the scores 5 - 5. South Africa have never won here in Hong Kong, could this be their year? They obviously want it badly, with less than 30 seconds to go and one Australian injured on the ground South Africa score a converted try to regain the lead and enter half time 12 - 5. Thankfully, Australia are back to full strength as the second gets underway. The game is too tight to call, but South Africa have the semi final between their teeth and score a try in the corner direct from the kick.  17 - 5. Australia loses the ball in a good position and with South Africa running down the wing to score, tempers flared as the South African was pushed out of play. A bit of pushing and shoving, with almost every player from each team involved and the ref talks to the captains to try and calm things down. South Africa lets their rugby do the talking and respond with a try in the corner with just 3 minutes to go to make it  24 - 5. Into the last minute and Australia's hard work pays off with a try but poor conversion to give a 24 -10 score line. The game ends 24 - 10 and South Africa go through to the next round.

Samoa played well against Argentina with the Samoans building a score of 12 - 0 before Argentina pulled 5 points back with a well worked try on the buzzer. The first half ended 12 - 5. For Argentina to stand any chance of progressing, they had to score early in the second half, and with a massive wide pass score they did. With the conversion they level the scores 12 -  12. Game on! The hooter goes for the end of the second half, and instead of playing from a penalty, Samoa decide to kick for goal and win the game 15 - 12.

Kenya have played very well this tournament but New Zealand is a daunting task for them to overcome. With less than a minute played New Zealand win the ball back from the kick and Lawrence pretty much carries a Kenyan on his back as his crosses the line for a converted try. 7 - 0. Kenya seem to have a point to prove, and despite all New Zealand's deft moves, manage to steal the ball and run half the length of the pitch unhindered to score a try. 7 -5. The crowd smells New Zealand blood and gets behind the Kenyans, which were unfortunate not to score a try late in the half after all their good play and possession. Kenya are hungry for victory and New Zealand are going to have to up their game if there is not to be an upset here. Half time 7 - 5. Kenya are all over the New Zealanders playing some of the best rugby we have seen so far this tournament. Their movements are fast, precise and innovative. New Zealand have hardly left their half this second half and amazingly Kenya's pressure is rewarded with a massive try to make it 7 - 10. Amazing stuff from Kenya. Do New Zealand have what it takes to turn the scales, the Kenyans playing in their 108th tournament, are the hungriest, and so far have all the ideas, but if there is one team you can never write off and that is New Zealand. But, BUT, today you can write them off, as Kenya hold on and WIN the game. New Zealand are out, and Kenya progress to meet either England or Fiji. What a game, the best of the tournament so far, and Kenyan have lifted the crowd and given a whole new angle to this year's sevens, with that inspirational victory, what a game, what a team, what a win. Final score 7 -10.

Fiji score first to lead the game to 5-0. England responded strongly but their skillful moves and deft handling fall just short of a try. Half time 5 - 0. The second half is going to be a very tense affair with Varndell always a massive threat. Fiji set up camp in England's half for the first 3 minutes of the second period, but England bring the ball from the back to score a well worked try and conversion to take the lead 5 - 7. Varndell is substituted. The hooter goes and Fiji are a metre from the England line. Two England players are down and Fiji have the ball. It is a penalty to Fiji, who take advantage and score a try in the corner to win the game and knock England out of the tournament 10 - 7.

Now for the semi finals. Portugal, leading Japan 5 - 7 at the start of the second half turn on the style and score within 30 seconds of the restart to extend the lead 5 -12. Portugal have improved dramatically since their earlier disappointing performances in the pool stages. But Japan, one of the best teams in Asia, and always difficult opponents to play against don't take long to score a try in the corner and bring the game closer. 10 - 12. Poor conversion for the Japanese has cost them the lead so far, and Portugal capitalise on this and score beneath the posts for a 10 - 19 score line. With a minute to go, a cheeky intercept gives Portugal what is surely an insurmountable lead - 10 - 26. The game ends, and Portugal move into the bowl final.

The second semi final in the bowl ended after a rather lackluster match between Uruguay and Zimbabwe 28 - 14, with Uruguay progressing to the finals where they will meet Portugal.

Tonga turned on the style in their semi against France, leading the game at half time 5 - 19. France did manage to pull some points back but Tonga proved too strong and the game ended 10 - 19.

Next the Sevens World Champions, Wales, who were knocked out by England in the quarters take on Canada. Less than 30 seconds into the game, and an intercept on the half way line gives Wales an easy first try. 0 - 5. Canada take the lead through some clever footwork after 2 minutes of play, 7-5. A second try comes 2 minutes later for Canada, thanks some good teamwork. 14 - 5.  A little gymnastics, in the form of a double roll, helped Canada score a third just 3 seconds before the end of the first half. The game ends 19 - 10.

The first semi final of the cup gets underway with another first, the first drop goal of the game after just a minute play. Samoa lead 0-3. After a brief stop for an injury to Lolo Lui, a clever break from South Africa gives them a try under the posts. South Africa lead 7-3. In the last minute of the first half, a clever chip and chase allows South Africa to score under the posts, extending their lead to 14 - 3, which is how the half ends. South Africa are looking the stronger team, using more creativity and consequently getting more chances. Samoa must be slightly concerned about Lolo Lui as he has been down for a reasonable length of time twice now. The second drop goal of the tournament goes South Africa's way, 17 -3. It does look as though South Africa will be in the final, aiming to win their first Hong Kong Sevens tournament, and to cement that they score an impressive converted try to make it 24 - 3. Last year South Africa met, and lost, to New Zealand in the final here in Hong Kong. That won't happen this year as their opponents will be either the surprise Kenya or Fiji. South Africa score a somewhat controversial try, as the player seemed to be pushed out of play, in the last second of the game, which ends 29 - 3.

The team, that shocked the entire stadium in beating one of the top favourites New Zealand, Kenya will have to be very disciplined to do a double and beat the Fijians who knocked England out in the quarter finals. A solid defense for Kenya stops what looked like a definite try but their was nothing to stop the magic feet of Fiji as they score the first which is followed a minute later by a second. 0 - 12. A long way to go yet and as New Zealand learnt this Kenyan team is determined but Fiji's class, and top-level experience, is shining through and they score a third try to make it 0 - 19 with less than two minutes to go. As the hooter goes, Kenya reminds the Fijians that the game is not over and scores a try to make it 7 - 19 at half time. A try for Fiji in the second half gives Fiji a 7 - 24 lead which is how the game ends.

Three mouth watering finals to follow, and it is impossible to predict the outcome of each. Our money would be on Portugal for the bowl, as they have improved as the tournament has gone on, but the other two finals are too tight to call.

Portugal start off as they mean to go on and score the first try under the posts to take the lead. 7 - 0.  Uruguay respond by camping out in Portugal's half and only an unlucky bounce prevented them from scoring a try. If Portugal are to win this they are going to have to play some more attacking rugby in the second half. Uruguay get the second half under way., and they may have been robbed by an unlucky bounce in the first half but no luck is needed for Portugal who manage to extend their lead with a converted try to take the lead to 14 - 5. Uruguay's response is almost immediate and they score a try to make it 14 -5 with just one minute left. Uruguay score with the last touch of the game to end the game 14 - 12.

After a brief interlude with a variety of different, thankfully clothed, streakers, the rugby gets back underway with Tonga and Canada battling it out for the Plate. Canada, who has played so well throughout the tournament, takes first blood with a try in the corner and an excellent conversion to make it 0 - 7. A second in the opposite corner shows Canada's intentions, and the lead grows to 0 - 12. It takes Tonga over 6 minutes to score their first points. A converted try makes the score 7 - 12, which is how the first half ends.  The tackles are fast and furious in the second half, but few chances are being created. Canada look the more dangerous of the two teams though, with a very solid defense. With just 5 points separating the teams, it is still anyone's game. The hooter goes with Tonga in possession, and despite some thumping tackles from Canada, they score and line up an easy conversion to win the game, 14 - 12.

It is nearly all over folks! But before we close shop, there is the little matter of a Cup Final. South Africa v Fiji. Both teams have played some magic rugby with Fiji improving perhaps the most as the games have gone on. It will be tight, it will be tough. South Africa has never won the HK Sevens, but they get the game underway and Fiji are instantly on the attack. Some superb rugby and magic feet from Vucago score a try to take first blood. 0 - 5. Both teams are using the most of kicking the ball with the game moving from end to end. Fiji seem to have the upper hand though, and their efforts earn them a penalty for being held on the ground. The game pauses as the refs converse. Fiji makes the most of the penalty and score a try in the corner.. Good work from Osea and the conversion just makes it over the bar to make it 0 - 12. Then on the fourth minute some amazing team work leads to Vucago scoring his second try and pushing the lead to 0 - 19. Great offensive play from Fiji, they are relentless, but South Africa are not a rugby minnows and they break through the Fiji defense to score their first try. 5 - 19. This game is a long way from over and South Africa, after the hooter had gone for the end of the first half, battled tooth and nail to break through the tough Fijian defense, to score a try under the posts and bring the score to 12 - 19. Fiji start the second half but South Africa hang on to the ball and continue the momentum with which they finished the first half, pushing Fiji back to their 22, but end the move by giving away a penalty, Fiji then move the ball wide, and Burotu storms like a bulldozer through the South Africans to score a converted try under the sticks. 12  - 26. A rather harsh decision by the referee sin bins Roko of Fiji for tripping against what was surely to be a South African try. A small cost to pay perhaps. South Africa are determined to make their extra man count and score a try under the posts to make it 19 - 26 with 3 minutes to go. Just one try in it now, and South Africa are pushing Fiji back, making sure that trip costs a whole lot more than2 minutes in the bin. Fiji return to full strength with two minutes to go. The referee earns the wrath of the crowd by sin binning another Fiji player and they are back to 7 v 6 . South Africa take advantage immediately and score a try. Now with the hooter already gone for full time the conversion must be scored for South Africa to stay in the game, but it flies wide and FIJI WIN THE HONG KONG SEVENS!!

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