Gold Coast Sevens: New Zealand claim opening event of World Series

World Series champions New Zealand got their season off to a perfect start by winning the Gold Coast Sevens with a 40-19 victory over Australia.

Tries from Scott Curry and Tim Mikkelson, who was also sin-binned, secured victory for Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand side in their semi-final, although they conceded their first points of the tournament when Mike Ellery gave England the lead in the first-half. The victory followed New Zealand's 40-0 triumph over Samoa in the first quarter final, with last year's IRB Sevens Player of the Year Mikkelson scoring a hat-trick to book the defending Series champions' spot in the semi-finals. Having trailed 5-0, Mat Turner, Mike Ellery (2) and Rob Vickerman all crossed for tries to give Simon Amor's England a 26-12 victory against their previous coach Ben Ryan and his Fiji side. Fiji would go on to lift the Plate after a convincing 36-0 victory over Kenya. Hosts Australia advanced to play South Africa after beating Kenya 24-12 while two-time defending champions Fiji beat Samoa 31-26 in the Plate semi-finals.

Bowl

France ensured they maintained a 100 per cent record on day two as Julien Saubade scored in sudden death extra time to win the Bowl. Connor Braid had held his nerve to kick a last minute conversion to take the match into sudden death extra time after Sean Ferguson had crossed in the corner, but Saubade's try ensured France won in overtime for the second time in two matches. Canada made the final after they recorded a 19-14 victory over Scotland thanks to two Harry Jones tries while France's Julien Candelon was on hand to secure a 17-12 win over Argentina in sudden death extra time in the second semi-final. Geraint John's side progressed to the semi finals after beating Spain 29-5 with Ciaran Hearn scoring two of their five tries while France had defeated Portugal 26-12. Earlier, Struan Dewar scored the first try of the day before Alex Glashan scored twice to help Scotland win their Bowl quarter final against USA 19-10. The USA beat Portugal 22-0 to lift the Shield final in Matt Hawkins' first tournament as head coach. Tries from Stephen Tomasin, Zack Test, Brett Thompson and Folau Niua ensured the USA took home some silverware from the Gold Coast Sevens. Folau Niua scored 16 points as USA beat Spain 26-7 in the first Shield semi final and will face Portugal in the final.