RUGBY SEVENS: The opening round of the 2012/13 Sevens World Series has been a huge success with a set of captivating, nail-biting matches entertaining a 27,988-strong crowd across two days of energy and colour.

Fiji secured their second Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch Championship title after defeating New Zealand in the Cup Final, with the Aussie men unlucky to miss the finals.

After an undefeated run on the first day of competition, the Australians lost to the flying Kenyans on day two. It was a game full of tense action and the scores were tied 7 all at half time.

The Kenyans were too fast for the Aussies as they sprinted past for two tries in the second half and, in the end, defeated them by 19 points to 14.

Luck was not on the Australian’s side again in their critical match against Argentina, who crossed for the first two tries.

Argentina continued to add pressure to the Aussie Sevens who, despite scoring two tries, were left behind. Argentina ran away with a remarkable final try knocking the Australians out of the tournament with a 17 – 14 victory.

The final matches commenced with Scotland taking on the USA in the Shield Final. Scotland stuck to their dominant form, scoring 26 points in the first half against the USA, who were unable to make their mark on the scoreboard.

Scotland dominated the try scoring tally becoming the Shield winners with an impressive 40 points to 5 over team USA.

In the Bowl final it was a neck and neck display between England and Spain with both teams each crossing for a try in the first half.

The game was taken to extra time after scores were drawn 14 all in the second half. The promising Spanish side grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring a try in extra time to bring the final score to 19 – 14 to be crowned Bowl Winners.

Argentina continued to power through in the Plate final against France with a 14 point lead in the first half.

The French tried their best to not let the match get away from them, however it was not enough as Argentina continued to surge towards their try line eventually taking the plate with both hands with a 14 – 7 final score.

The two African nations, Kenya and South Africa, went head to head for the 3rd/4th playoff spot. A cunning South African outfit were quick to cross the line, scoring all the tries against the Kenyans in the first half.

The Kenyans sprinting form reappeared in the second half but it was not enough for the try-happy South Africans who surprisingly ran away with a 41 – 7 win.

As the anthems rung out around the stadium it was evident the Cup Final between last year’s Gold Coast Sevens defending Champions, Fiji and the tough New Zealand side was going to be an epic contest.

The Fijians tormented the Kiwis crossing over for the first try. But in true New Zealand form it wasn’t long before they made their own mark on the scoreboard with a try and successful conversion. The Fijians dominated the try scoring however, with a 10 point lead at half time.

The Fijians looked outstanding as they weaved around the New Zealanders to score a further set of classic tries. New Zealand still managed to score despite having a player sin binned, but the Fijians were just too good, finally sealing the Cup Final with a 32 – 14 victory.

ARU and Olympics.com.au