New Zealand and Fiji set up title-clash

Dubai: New Zealand and Fiji were set to meet in a mouth-watering Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens final after digging deep to record momentous semi-final successes.

First, New Zealand - chasing their first win in the traditional opening leg of the IRB World Series since 2003 - showed tremendous character to come from behind and defeat Dubai champions and favourites South Africa 12-7.

Fiji were then tested to the very limit by England who at one stage led 14-5 but eventually went down 22-21 in a titanic struggle.

South Africa took the lead against New Zealand, thanks to a try and conversion from Renfred Dazel. But the men in black responded with two tries before the break from Tomasi Cama, who also added a conversion.

Golden chance

South Africa had a golden chance midway through the second half to level proceedings but a pass that put Fabian Juries away for what would have been the match-levelling try was ruled to be forward.

England, meanwhile, looked a completely different side from the one that struggled on the first day of play. But after surging 14-5 ahead, Ben Ryan's young squad conceded three tries to allow Fiji to regain the lead.

England rallied to within a point but Fiji just held on for a memorable victory.

Two tries from Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino helped Argentina hold off Kenya 17-14 in the plate semi-finals, booking a place in the play-off against Samoa who were made to work hard by a determined Scottish outfit for a 28-19 triumph.

The heroes for the Islanders were Alafoti Fa'osiliva and Reupena Levasa who both claimed two tries, Roger Warren adding all four conversions.

The Bowl final was due to be contested by Canada and Australia. Canada defeated great rivals the United States 21-12 and then edged out France 21-5, while Australia made light work of the Arabian Gulf before hanging on for a 22-19 victory over Wales.

Zimbabwe and Tunisia battled their way through to the Shield final. Two tries apiece from Tangai Nemadire and Gerald Sibanda helped Zimbabwe to a 29-17 semi-final success over the United States, while Sabri Guemir touched down twice for Tunisia in their 36-0 defeat of the Arabian Gulf.

The local favourites had another tough day at the office although Adrian Kerr, of the Dubai Dragons, managed to claim a try in his side's 36-5 defeat by Australia in the Bowl quarter-finals. Coach Mike Lunjevich said: "We are a better side than last year and fitter but all the other teams have improved as well."

Results

Emirates Trophy (quarter-finals)
NZ 40 Argentina 7
South Africa 17 Kenya 15
Samoa 19 England 26
Fiji 28 Scotland 5

Semi-finals
NZ 12 South Africa 7
England 21 Fiji 22

Plate semi-finals
Argentina 17 Kenya 14
Samoa 28 Scotland 19

Bowl quarter-finals
France 24 Zimbabwe 19
Canada 21 US 12
Wales 17 Tunisia 12
Australia 36 Arabian Gulf 5

Semi-finals
France 5 Canada 21
Wales 19 Australia 22

Shield semi-finals
Zimbabwe 29 United States 17
Tunisia 36 Arabian Gulf 0