Hamilton 7s

Skipper Waisea Nacuqu scored two tries in the first half before Samoa fought back from tries to Tuna Tuitama and Motu Opetai to close the contest 12-10 before half time.

The Fijians regrouped in the second half and managed to cross the whitewash twice to  Vuiviwa Naduvalo and Manueli Maisamoa to top the pool the Fiji Times reports.

The Ben Gollings-coached side awaits the second team from South Africa and Argentina to meet in the quarter-final tomorrow.

Lima has retained the same team that travelled to South Africa with the exception of skipper Melani Matavao returning from injury, forcing Pelosi “Jimmy” Taupo to miss out.

The change was confirmed in the naming of the 14-member side today.

The forward trio of Uaina Sione, and Co-Captains Vaovasa Afa-Su’a and Vaafauese Apelu-Maliko all return.

They are joined by 21-year-old power forwards Motu Opetai and Taunuu Niulevaea who have both started 8 and 5 matches respectively this season.

Samoa shot to the top of the table after winning the Cape Town Sevens last weekend.

It’s their first title since 2016.

The Hamilton 7s will be held on the 21st and 22nd of January, 2023.

Pool B has New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia and invitation team Tonga.

USA leads Pool C with Uruguay, Ireland and Japan.

South Africa, who were the winners in Dubai, are in Pool D with Argentina, Spain and Canada.

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The New Zealand Sevens is back on the circuit following a two-year absence due to the COVID pandemic.

The resurrected Hamilton event, which will run over two days from January 21, will feature full men's and women's draws.

New Zealand Rugby Head of Tournaments & Competitions, Cameron Good, said the announcement was a feel-good moment after two tough years for the events industry.

New Zealand did the double on home soil as the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens won the men's and women's titles to extend their respective leads atop the overall World Series standings.

Fiji were attempting to win a third straight title in Hamilton but, after opening day wins against Samoa (19-12) and Australia (19-12), Gareth Baber's side were upset by Argentina 26-10 in their final round robin clash and were denied a place in the knockout rounds on points differential.

For the Black Ferns, victory represented success at the first official world-series event form women in New Zealand.

They secured their semi-final spot with a 38-21 win over Fiji in their final pool game on Sunday morning, with Stacey Fluhler scoring a try hat-trick and Michaela Blyde a double.

Late in their semi, they trailled France, and needed tries from Fluhler and Kelly Brazier, both converted, to emerge 19-7 winners. 

Samoa struck first inside the first minute through their captain Tomasi Alosio with a converted try.

But Fiji got their act together and made a few crucial turnovers before Jerry Tuwai ran in for a try with both teams locked at 7-all.

Fiji defended well for about two minutes and was rewarded with their second try to Vilimoni Botitu as they led 12-7 at halftime.

FBC reports Samoa started strongly in the second spell with a try converted try to Joe Perez and the score was all level at 12-all.

With New Zealand also hosting an official leg of the Women's World Series for the first time the men's competition has been cut back, with the four pool winners now advancing directly to the semi-finals.

The elimination of the quarter final stage, means every pool game is effectively a must win, with Fiji drawn to face Samoa, Argentina and Australia this weekend.

Baber wasn't sold on the new format.

"It's a bit strange," he said. "It wouldn't be what my thought process would be in terms of a tournament for certain.

Twenty-eight teams will take part in the first fully integrated men's and women's international tournament to be played in New Zealand.

Both the All Blacks Sevens and the Black Ferns Sevens teams come to Hamilton victorious from the previous round held at the end of last year in Cape Town.

All of the 28 teams have now arrived in Hamilton.

The teams have spread out around the city making time between training to promote the game and visit hospitals, rest homes and get involved with younger players.

The 28-year-old winger is one of the players who has had a remarkable last season and has caught the attention of coach, Sir Gordon Tietjens.

Alosio led the team at the Dubai 7s last month.

The team will also feature Pacific Games sprint star, Kelvin Masoe and Kirisimasi Savaiinaea, who are among the players to make way from the team that featured in South Africa, with Phillip Luki joining Melani Matavao and Pesamino Iakopo in the non-travelling reserves.