IRB SEVENS WORLD SERIES

Alfredo Pelenise scorched over for two tries in the final

New Zealand kings of George

9 DECEMBER 2006

New Zealand have held off the strong challenge of home team South Africa, and the vociferous home crowd in George, to win a pulsating final and take the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens title.

The win leaves New Zealand and South Africa tied on 36 points at the top of the IRB Sevens World Series.

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Schalk van der Merwe put the Boks ahead in the first minute but Alfred Pelenise and the outstanding Nigel Hunt hit back for the men in black and New Zealand led 10-5 at the break.

The South African side looked nervous and buckled in the second half under the heavy pressure of the New Zealand defence and the expectant home support. Zar Lawrence's try was cancelled out by Philip Burger's - Burger was top try scorer for the tournament - but Pelenise's second made van der Merwe's late score nothing more than a consolation.

Earlier, Gordon Tietjens' side was hugely impressive in dispatching Fiji for the second week in a row 29-12 with Lawrence, Rickards and Cocker again among the tries.

Home favourites South Africa then battled from behind to overcome a competitive young England side 10-7, Philip Burger grabbing the decisive score to the delight of the home crowd.

Wales clinch Plate

Wales outclassed Tunisia, playing their first ever plate final, to build on a 14-0 lead and run out 26-7 winners. Tries for Jenkins, Thomas, McAtee and Selley rendered Lotfi Nino's well worked try nothing more than a consolation and Wales take eight Series points to Tunisia's six.

Earlier, Tunisia made it through to their first ever Plate final, Nino inspiring the side to beat Samoa 19-7, before Wales beat France in a thrilling sudden-death extra time win. Fabien Grammatico's try brought France level on the final whistle but after four energy-sapping minutes of extra time Martyn Williams went over in the left corner to seal a win for Wales.

Earlier Wales lost out to Fiji 33-7 in the Cup quarter finals, before Tunisia's Cup adventure was cut short by the Boks, 38-0.

Australia take Bowl title

Australia's newlook squad heaped the pressure on their seasoned players back at home by seeing off Kenya 41-7 with Cummins and Cornforth each scoring braces.

Australia and Kenya earlier won through to the final with respective wins over Canada, 31-5, and Argentina, a last-ditch try for Horace Otieno sealing a fine come back win for Kenya against Argentina.

Portugal recover to win Shield

Portugal won the Shield in their second event as a tour team on the Series, coming from behind to beat Zimbabwe 14-12 with second half tries from Aderito Estevez and Francisco Moreira.

Portugal and Zimbabwe won through to the final of the final with respective wins over Uganda and Scotland.