Samoa's men and Australia's women had cause to celebrate after claiming the Oceania Sevens titles and securing their passage to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in the process.
Led by their inspirational captain Uale Mai, Samoa were ruthless throughout the two days of the Oceania regional qualifier in Samoa and overwhelmed Tonga 52-0 in the final, much to the delight of the large home crowd.
Samoa ran with purpose and captivated the crowd with their power and ability to secure so many of their own kick-offs, having scored the opening try after only 30 seconds through Ofisa Treviranus.
Tries from Alatasi Tupou (2) and Alafoti Fa'osiliva gave Samoa a 26-0 lead at half time and the hosts were just as dangerous after the break with Treviranus, Fa'osiliva, Afa Aiono and David Lemi all touching down in the victory.
Australia did not have it so easy in the women's final against New Zealand with Nicole Beck's try right on full-time snatching a 22-15 victory against the side they had beaten 15-5 on day one to top the five-team round robin competition.
The Australians, coached by men's Sevens captain Shawn Mackay, had to come from behind initially after Selica Winiata raced clear from halfway to score for New Zealand, but Debby Hodgkinson's try levelled the score at 5-5.
Hodgkinson set up Australia's second try with a fine break before offloading to Ruan Sims, but speedster Victoria Grant sprinted away to make it all square – 10-10 – at the break in a thrilling end to end encounter.
Sims and Grant claimed their second tries of the match to again level the scores, but with some resolute defence and sheer determination it was the first ever Australian women's Sevens side who tasted victory thanks to Beck's match-winner.
Tonga and New Zealand, though, by virtue of reaching the final will join Samoa and Australia as Oceania's two qualifiers in the men's and women's events at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai from 5-7 March.
