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Fiji romp to Dubai Sevens title

Dubai - World Rugby Sevens series champions Fiji won the Dubai Sevens for the second time in three years on Saturday with a 28-17 victory over England in the final.

Fiji scored all of their points in the first half after falling behind to an early Tom Bowen try.

Savenaca Rawaca, Jasa Veremalua, Jerry Tuwai, who had suffered a bout of food poisoning overnight and had been on a drip before Saturday's action, and Isake Katonibau grabbed Fiji's four tries for a 28-7 lead at the break.

England, the 2010 and 2013 champions, rallied with late second half tries through Phil Burgess and a second score for Bowen.

The series moves on to Cape Town next week with Fiji remaining the team to beat ahead of the sport's debut at the Olympics in Rio next year.

For Fiji coach Ben Ryan, a former England boss, it was a fourth Dubai triumph in six years as he saw his side sweep through the tournament.

They defeated Australia 19-12 in their quarter-finals with tries from Kotanibau, captain Osea Kolinisau and Rawaca.

That was followed up by a 19-5 win against New Zealand in the semi-finals thanks to scores from Viliame Mata, Pio Tuwai and Veremalua.

"England are a tough side so we are happy to come through as winners," said Kolinisau, playing in his 43rd World Sevens event.

"It keeps us on a roll for the next round in South Africa."

South Africa won the Plate, France took the Bowl and the Shield went to Canada.

Dubai Sevens results:

Cup

Quarter-finals

Fiji 19, Australia 12

New Zealand 24, Samoa 21

England 14, Argentina 7

United States 21, South Africa 19

Semi-finals

Fiji 19, New Zealand 5

England 24, United States 19

Bronze Final

United States 31, New Zealand 12

Final

Fiji 28, England 17

Plate

Semi-finals

Australia 28, Samoa 10

South Africa 26, Argentina 5

Final

South Africa 19, Australia 14

Bowl

Quarter-finals

Kenya 17, Japan 12

France 38, Russia 5

Wales 24, Canada 14

Scotland 21, Portugal 14

Semi-finals

France 33, Kenya 7

Scotland 17, Wales 14

Final

France 24, Scotland 14

Shield

Semi-finals

Japan 21, Russia 19

Canada 31, Portugal 14

Final

Canada 19, Japan 17

Standings:

1. Fiji, 22 points

2. England, 19

3. United States, 17

4. New Zealand, 15

5. South Africa, 13

6. Australia, 12

7. Samoa, 10

8. Argentina, 10

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