Fiji beat NZ in Gold Coast Sevens rugby final

Fiji upset reigning Sevens World Series champions New Zealand 26-12 in the final of the Gold Coast Sevens on Saturday to claim the opening round of this season's series. The Fijians opened the scoring with a converted try to skipper Stefano Cakau, who threw a dummy and raced 50 metres. Cakau left the field injured before half-time as New Zealand playmaker Tomasi Cama sliced the deficit to two points. Cakau, who was later named player of the tournament, put New Zealand 12-7 ahead when he set up an attacking move and then latched onto Tim Mikkelson's raking run to score his second try before half-time. The Fijians lost another key player Osea Kolinisau in the second half but they levelled when Joeli Lutumailagi raced clear to score. A minute later Emosi Vuago scored after a turnover in New Zealand's 22 and Watisoni Votu crossed to cap a thrilling attacking build-up for a 26-12 lead. "It is a big thing for the boys. We need a platform to start it off and this is a stepping stone to something," Fiji coach Etuate Waqa said. "It is very important to us, we have spoken about it, we want to go back to being number one in the world and if we can start it off like this it sets a platform that we can build on. "We knew it would be physical, we just asked the boys to be composed." Fiji, who lost to New Zealand 28-5 in Friday's opening pool game, advanced to the final after defeating South Africa 24-7 in the semis, after leading 19-0 at halftime. New Zealand spoiled hosts Australia's hopes of a Sevens World Series win at home for the first time in 10 years with a 26-7 victory in the semi-finals. "Plenty of positives to take, it is our first tournament and we did enough I thought to win this," New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said. "But that is Sevens, we might have played well against Fiji in the pool but the team can turn around and do exactly the same to you. "Lots to play for going to Dubai, we know we are good enough. The boys will be kicking themselves and we had set some good standards." The Fijians head to Dubai next weekend for round two of the World Sevens Series with 22 points, three clear of New Zealand and five ahead of third-placed South Africa. Sevens World Cup titleholders Wales took out the Plate final with a 26-15 victory over Samoa. Argentina claimed the Bowl final with a hard-fought 17-14 win over Scotland, while Papua New Guinea downed Japan 31-19 to win the Shield final.