2011 SCOTLAND 7s
NZ PROUD TO WIN 'TOUGHEST' WORLD SERIES
NEW ZEALAND won the HSBC World Series last week in London, but were knocked out of the Cup at semi final stage when Australia over came the IRB 7s winners 19 - 12.
Gordon Tietjens has won everything in Sevens - Commonwealth golds, a World Cup and nine of the 12 World Series, but the joy of victory never seems to fade.
He may have been in the job for 18 years and lifted countless World Series titles, but the sight of his captain lifting the last trophy to be presented in a Sevens season still make the old eyes sparkle.
"It has been a very tough year, a good year, winning four out of the eight tournaments. It would have been great to win it (the Edinburgh title) today but it wasn't to be," said Tietjens after watching his captain DJ Forbes lift the HSBC Sevens World Series trophy and win back the title for the first time in two years.”
Although famed for his high standards, even Tietjens might have held modest hopes for his side at the start of this season. With half of the squad making their debut at this level, he was relying on four or five seasoned campaigners, DJ Forbes, Lote Raikabula, Tomasi Cama, Solomon King and Tim Mikkelson, to stay fit.
In the 12-year history of the World Series, Tietjens is the only person to have been involved in all 100 tournaments played, an incredible achievement.
DAY 2 
SIBUSISO SITHOLE scored a fine try in the dying seconds to snatch victory from Australia and clinch the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens title for injury-hit South Africa on the final day of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
In a breathless Cup final the injury-hit Springbok Seven came back from 28-7 and 31-14 down to finish strongly and win 36-35 with Steven Hunt assisting his side with a hat-trick of tries.
Paul Treu's side finished the season on a high to win both the London and Edinburgh titles, and ended the HSBC Sevens World Series in second place behind champions New Zealand and ahead of England in third.
Fiji defeated Samoa 26-14 in the Plate final to finish fourth in the World Series whilst in the Bowl competition Kenya broke Scottish hearts when Lavin Asego scored after the hooter had sounded and Canada beat Russia to win the Shield.
26,405 fans across the weekend at Murrayfield ensured more than 500,000 have turned out across the season, marking a successful landmark year for the World Series.
The South Africans also came from 14-0 behind in their semi final against Wales, as Botha, captain Kyle Brown, Hunt and Delport claiming a 22-19 victory to set up the final with Australia who had earlier beaten New Zealand to reach their first Cup final of the season.
Ed Jenkins, Jacob Taylor and Greg Jeloudev all scored in Australia's 19-12 Cup semi final victory against the World Series champions.
Michael O'Connor's side also proved too strong for their quarter final opponents Fiji, winning 24-14 thanks to tries from Ed Jenkins (two), Brian Sefanaia and Jesse Parahi.
The 2011 London Sevens champions booked their place in the semi finals after beating defending Edinburgh Sevens champions Samoa 28-5 in their quarter final with Hunt, Cecil Afrika, Brown and Sibusiso Sithole all scoring in their win.
Wales, buoyed by their first Cup semi final since 2009 last weekend, reached the same stage at Murrayfield after Gareth Owen scored a penalty in sudden death extra time against France, whilst Frank Halai scored his second hat-trick of the tournament in New Zealand's 26-12 victory against England in the quarter finals.
Fiji Finish Fourth After Plate Victory
FIJI defeated Samoa 26-14 in the Plate final to collect 12 Series points and moved above their Pacific rivals in the World Series standings in fourth. Metuisela Talebula scored twice in the final after they had earlier beaten England 34-19 in the semi final.
Joeli Lutumailagi ensured Fiji would compete in the final, helping his side with two tries against Ben Ryan's side whilst Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Tom Iosefo and Alatasi Tupou scored in Samoa's 17-10 victory against France to set up a repeat of the pool match from day one.
Kenya Beat Hosts To Bowl
LAVIN ASEGO broke Scottish hearts as he scored the decisive try for Kenya after the buzzer had sounded in an enthralling Bowl final. Benjamin Ayimba's side had taken a 14-0 lead, but Michael Fedo and Lee Jones drew the scores level.
As the match entered its final play, it was Asego who silenced the Murrayfield crowd and avenged a defeat to Scotland in the Bowl final at Twickenham last weekend and picked up four Series points.
The hosts, who narrowly missed out on a place in the last eight, falling just two points short on points difference despite their heroic 45-7 victory against USA beat Canada 26-14 in the quarter finals before recording a 22-7 victory against Argentina thanks to tries from Fedo, Jim Thompson, Struan Dewar and Jones.
Kenya beat Spain 40-0 in their semi final with Oscar Ouma scoring twice, adding to their earlier 17-15 defeat of USA in their quarter final. Despite Zach Test scoring two tries for Al Caravelli's side, it was Lavin Asego who scored after the buzzer had sounded to snatch victory for Kenya.
Canada End Season With Shield
CANADA beat Russia in the Shield final 17-12 thanks to tries from Mitchell Gudgeon and Sean Duke (two) to end their season with some silverware.
They reached the final after beating Portugal 17-5 in the semi final thanks to tries from Duke, Harry Jones and Justin Mensah-Coker whilst Russia edged their semi final against USA, Nikolay Zaporzhin scoring the decisive try in their 17-12 victory.
DAY 1
FIJI recovered from a 14-12 defeat to Scotland to top Pool D and reach the Cup quarter finals at Murrayfield, leaving the race for second place in the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series wide open.
Hosts Scotland narrowly missed out on joining them, falling two points short in their 45-7 victory against USA in the final match on day one of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens whilst World Series champions New Zealand, Wales and South Africa maintained their 100% records.
Cup Quarter Finals
New Zealand v England
Fiji v Australia
South Africa v Samoa
Wales v France
With New Zealand having already clinched the Series, England (121), South Africa (116), Samoa (112) and Fiji (110) will compete for the all-important second place on day two.
Pool A 
NEW ZEALAND will be hoping for a double celebration this weekend in Scotland, having already secured their ninth World Series title in 12 years, their first since 2009, and reaching the Cup quarter finals at Murrayfield in the 100th event in the World Series.
They maintained their 100% record with a 38-7 against Argentina thanks to a Frank Halai hat-trick, their third hat-trick of the day, and will now face England on day two.
Toby Arnold scored their first hat-trick of the day in the 43-0 win against Russia before Scott Curry's helped Gordon Tietjens, who has also been coach at all 100 tournaments, guide his side to a 43-5 win against the French.
Buoyed by reaching their first Cup quarter final since 2009 in London, France joined New Zealand in tomorrow's Cup quarter finals after beating Russia 10-5 and Argentina 7-5. Gonzalo Toboada had a chance to snatch a win for Los Pumas in their match with France, but missed a penalty in the dying seconds.
Argentina did manage to win their second pool match, 21-7 against Pavel Baranovsky's Russia, with captain Hernan Olivari, Toboada and Francisco Merello scoring tries in the victory and they will play Portugal in the Bowl quarter final.
Pool B 
WALES topped Pool B after a 19-12 victory against England, their first win against their rivals since 2008, thanks to two Adam Thomas tries.
Paul John's side, who reached their first Cup semi final since 2009 last weekend, narrowly beat Spain 7-5 in the fourth match of the day before a 35-12 victory against Portugal to set up a repeat of last week's Cup quarter final against France on day two.
Last week's hosts England still progress to the Cup quarter finals and will face New Zealand after earlier beating Spain 22-12, with Dan Caprice (2), Dan Norton and captain Ben Gollings all scoring in the victory.
Looking to put the disappointment of winning the Shield in their home tournament last weekend behind them, England also ensured lightning didn't strike twice against Portugal having lost to them for the first time at the 2010 Dubai Sevens, winning 24-5 thanks to tries from Norton, John Brake, James Rodwell and Oliver Lindsay-Hague.
In the penultimate Pool B match Spain beat Iberian rivals Portugal for the first time in the World Series, winning 7-5 and recording victory at the sixth attempt thanks to Javier Canosa's try.
Pool C 
LONDON Sevens Cup winners South Africa topped Pool C after a 19-5 victory against Australia. Paul Treu's side have never won the tournament in Murrayfield but tries from Cecil Afrika, Paul Delport and William Small-Smith ensured they maintained their 100% record on day one.
Earlier, Afrika scored his 37th try of the season and Small-Smith his first in the World Series as they secured a 32-5 victory against Geraint John's Canada before five different players scored one try apiece in a 31-14 defeat of Kenya.
Michael O'Connor's side will join them in the Cup quarter finals and face Fiji having scored six tries against Canada, Lewis Holland crossing twice.
Earlier, Jonathon Lance helped them come from 7-0 behind to beat Kenya 14-7 in the final minute. Collins Injera had given Benjamin Ayimba's side the lead but Greg Jeloudev and Lance snatched the victory.
In the penultimate Pool C match, Kenya beat Canada 38-5, with Injera scoring a hat-trick and his brother, captain Humphrey Kayange, also scoring and they face USA in the Bowl quarter finals.
Pool D 
FIJI recovered from their 14-12 defeat to hosts Scotland to secure their place in the Cup quarter finals after beating Pacific rivals Samoa, 21-7.
The hosts fell just short of joining them in the Cup quarter finals after their 45-7 victory against USA left them two tantalising points short on points difference.
Earlier, however, the hosts gave the crowd something to cheer as they kept up their incredible 100% record at Murrayfield against Fiji, defeating the London Sevens Cup runners-up 14-12. David Batiratu and Watisoni Votu had given the Pacific Islanders a 12-0 lead at half time but captain Scott Riddell and Lee Jones sent the crowd wild.
The defending Edinburgh Sevens champions, Samoa, got the defence of their title off to a winning start, beating USA 21-12 before a 33-10 victory against Scotland. Alatasi Tupou, Ofisa Treviranus and Afa Aiono all scoring for Stephen Betham's side in both matches before their defeat to Fiji and will face South Africa in the Cup quarter finals.
Fiji had recorded their first victory of the day against USA, winning 21-14 thanks to tries from Livai Ikanikoda, Watisoni Votu and Mitieli Nacagilevu.
PREVIEW
THE family of the man who gave Sevens Rugby to the world today welcomed the 16 international teams set to illuminate Murrayfield this weekend at the 100th tournament since the inception of the IRB's Sevens World Series.
David Haig, the great-great-great nephew of Ned Haig, the founder of the abbreviated game first played at Melrose in 1883, spoke of his great pride at how rugby sevens had fuelled a worldwide expansion of the game.
“It’s a phenomenon. The Haig family is very pleased that the 100th IRB tournament will take place in Scotland this weekend at the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s at Murrayfield," Haig said.
“This is the last tournament of the season in the HSBC Sevens World Series and it’s been wonderful to watch the skill and immense energy that the teams bring to the tournaments.
“We also take great pride that sevens will be a core sport at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and that it will be part of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.”
David Haig’s welcome was echoed from the highest levels of the Scottish Government.
Political Backing For Sevens
SHONA ROBISON, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport said: “Scotland is the home of Sevens and this weekend is really important for us. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the sport and also for the local economy.
“Looking forward, there are huge opportunities for Sevens. There’s a lot of interest in the sport across the world and with the Commonwealth Games coming up in Glasgow in 2014, Sevens will be a key sport at that event.”
England Sevens captain, Ben Gollings, has played in each year of the IRB Series since it kicked off in 1999.
“Over the years the competition has got tougher and tougher. There is no easy game anymore – as we found out last week," Gollings said at a reception for the competing teams hosted by the Scottish Government at Edinburgh Castle.
“It’s what makes Sevens fun. The underdog is very much in the picture in this game and can cause serious upsets – and it happens tournament after tournament.”
This weekend’s host nation Scotland are drawn in a pool against reigning Edinburgh 7s champions Samoa, last weekend’s Emirates Airline London 7s runners-up Fiji and core Series team USA.
Scotland In Tough Pool
MATT HAWKINS, the USA captain said: “We believe we can be in the top eight in the world. No, we are not professional! No, we don’t spend much time together but we have the talent and the know-how to do it. We just need to be a little bit more consistent.”
Young Samoan utility back Lole Tualaulelei, competing at the Edinburgh event for the first time, said Scotland had been “hard to beat, really strong” at Twickenham last weekend when the Pacific islanders held on for a 19-15 win.
In Samoa, winners of the last World Series, Sevens excites everyone from villagers to the Prime Minister: “He (the Prime Minister) was pretty happy with the boys when they won the World Series last year. It was great history for Samoa. We know we can’t do that this weekend but we are aiming to get the (Ned Haig) Cup for the last tournament of the year.”
Fijian captain Dale Tonawai noted: “We’re very much looking forward to the weekend especially with our performance in London. We have been visited by the Fijian community in Edinburgh up at Dreghorn Barracks while we have been doing our training runs. It’s been a very warm welcome for us.”
The trio combines to present a tough opening day challenge for Scotland.
“Winning the Bowl in London last weekend was a great confidence booster to all the players going into the final leg at Murrayfield this weekend," said Scotland captain, Scott Riddell.
"It’s a fantastic honour to pull on the Scotland jersey as captain and represent the nation – to do that at Murrayfield, with the backing of your home support, family and friends, is very special.
“Scotland 7s have achieved great things at Murrayfield in recent years, beating some of the best teams in the world including South Africa, Australia, England and Fiji.
“As a player, when you’re giving everything you have for the jersey, hearing the crowd at fever pitch and willing you on gets you off the ground that bit quicker to support the next attack or make the next tackle, so I’d encourage all supporters of Scotland to come to Murrayfield this weekend and show us their support as we take on the world, starting with Fiji, Samoa and the USA on Saturday.”
RESULTS
POOL A
New Zealand 43 - 0 Russia
Argentina 5 - 7 France
New Zealand 43 - 5 France
Argentina 21 - 7 Russia
Russia 5 - 10 France
New Zealand 38 - 7 Argentina
POOL B
England 24 - 5 Portugal
Wales 7 - 5 Spain
England 22 - 12 Spain
Wales 35 - 12 Portugal
Portugal 5 - 7 Spain
England 12 - 19 Wales
POOL C
South Africa 32 - 5 Canada
Australia 14 - 7 Kenya
South Africa 31 - 14 Kenya
Australia 41 - 12 Canada
Canada 5 - 38 Kenya
South Africa 19 - 5 Australia
POOL D
Samoa 21 - 12 United States
Fiji 12 - 14 Scotland
Samoa 33 -10 Scotland
Fiji 21 - 14 United States
Samoa 7 - 21 Fiji
Scotland 45 - 7 United States
BOWL QUARTER FINAL
Argentina 24 - 5 Portugal
BOWL QUARTER FINAL
Scotland 26 - 14 Canada
BOWL QUARTER FINAL
Kenya 17 - 15 United States
BOWL QUARTER FINAL
Spain 7 - 0 Russia
SHIELD SEMI FINAL
Portugal 5 - 7 Canada
SHIELD SEMI FINAL
United States 12 - 17 Russia
SHIELD FINAL
Canada 17 - 12 Russia
BOWL SEMI FINAL
Argentina 7 - 22 Scotland
BOWL SEMI FINAL
Kenya 40 - 0 Spain
BOWL FINAL
Scotland 14 -21 Kenya
CUP QUARTER FINAL
New Zealand vs England
CUP QUARTER FINAL
Fiji 14 - 24 Australia
CUP QUARTER FINAL
South Africa 28 - 5 Samoa
CUP QUARTER FINAL
Wales 13 - 10 France
PLATE SEMI FINAL
England 19 - 34 Fiji
PLATE SEMI FINAL
Samoa 17 - 10 France
PLATE FINAL
Fiji 26 - 14 Samoa
CUP SEMI FINAL
New Zealand 12 - 19 Australia
CUP SEMI FINAL
South Africa 22 - 19 Wales
CUP FINAL
Australia 35 - 36 South Africa
FIXTURES & STANDINGS 
