Fiji have ended New Zealand's nine-year reign as Rugby World Cup Sevens champions with a 29-12 victory in the final in South Africa this evening.
Both teams had endured a disappointing campaign on the Sevens circuit, but victories over Australia and Ireland respectively in the semi-finals handed the sport's old rivals the chance to be crowned world champions.
Fiji - well beaten by South Africa in the Commonwealth Games final earlier this summer - made a blistering start to the final, racing into a 12-0 lead courtesy of tries from Joseva Talacolo and Kaminielo Rasaku inside the first two minutes.
New Zealand offered a quick reply, but the first half belonged to Fiji and a first world title since 2005 seemed within grasp when they took a 24-5 lead into half time.
However, New Zealand were handed a lifeline with an early second-half try followed by two quick Fijian yellow cards, briefly reducing them to five men.
New Zealand saw a man of their own sin-binned moments later, though, and Fiji capped off the triumph through Pilipo Bukayaro's last-minute try to add the world title to their Olympic gold medal.
Back on top!
— Rugby World Cup 7s 2022 (@WorldRugby7s) September 11, 2022
The 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens title belongs to @fijirugby 🏆#RWC7s | #HereToSevens pic.twitter.com/Q2eN3JfZDo
Fiji have now lifted the Melrose Cup three times, equalling New Zealand's record, although this is Fiji's first World Cup crown from a tournament not held in Hong Kong.
Earlier in the day, Ireland had beaten World Sevens Series champions Australia in the third-placed playoff to record their best finish since the inaugural tournament in 1993 and condemn Australia to another disappointing World Cup finish following an otherwise successful year.
Meanwhile, England - runners-up in the last two editions of the competition - recorded their worst-ever World Cup finish but did claim the Challenge Trophy as some consolation, having been knocked out by Ireland in the Championship last 16 on Friday.
New Zealand also missed out in the women's final, with a yellow card for Niall Williams early in the second half proving costly in their 24-22 defeat to Australia.
There was a late fightback from New Zealand as they pushed for a dramatic comeback, but Australia held out to dethrone their Oceanic rivals, who had lifted the trophy in each of the last two editions of the tournament.
Barney Corkhill
