Australia win in Tokyo while Fiji claim plate 04 April, 2012

Joji Ragamate with Metuisela Talebula behind him coulld only lead the Digicel Fiji team to the plate title in Tokyo after being crowned Hong Kong champions a week earlier.

Australia defeated Samoa 28-26 in dramatic fashion the final of the Tokyo Sevens to become the fifth Cup winners in the HSBC Sevens World Series 2011/12.

Nineteen-year-old Matt Lucas held his nerve to slot a long-range conversion in the dying seconds after his captain Ed Jenkins had crossed to level the scores.

Lucas was one of four teenagers in Michael O'Connor's Australia squad, which has grown in confidence and stature throughout the season.

Alafoti Fa'osiliva crossed first in the final but a quickfire Shannon Walker brace fired Australia into the lead and although Alatasi Tupou scored for Samoa the young Wallabies held a narrow lead at the break.

Damon Anderson stretched that lead in the second half but USA Sevens champions Samoa hit back twice through Fa'osiliva and Ken Pisi to nudge themselves ahead. However, Australia were to have the final say, captain Ed Jenkins leading by example and diving for the line before Lucas capped a remarkable performance by striking the conversion clean through the posts for the win. 

New Zealand now lead the HSBC Sevens World Series on 128 points, only six clear of Fiji. South Africa are third in 105, one ahead of England and four clear of Samoa in fifth. Australia's victory leaves them in sixth place on 84.

Earlier the Australians put in a superb performance to beat first Wales and then England 33-12 in their semi final, including 11 points from Allan Fa'alava'au whilst Samoa beat pacific rivals Fiji and New Zealand en route to their second Cup final of the Series.

Fiji earn vital points in Plate

Digicel Fiji held on for a 14-10 victory against South Africa in the Plate final to earn crucial points towards their Series tally.

Waisea Nayacalevu and Nikola Matawalu scored Fiji's tries, but it was two missed conversions by South Africa's Renfred Dazel which proved the difference.

Earlier, two Stephan Dippenaar tries helped South Africa book their place in the Plate final by beating Wales 22-10.

France beat USA to Bowl

France lifted the Bowl trophy in Tokyo after beating USA 17-12 in the final thanks to tries from Manoel Dall Igna, Paul Albaladejo and Renaud Delmas.

Les Bleus booked their place in the final after beating Hong Kong 26-15 in the first semi whilst Alex Magleby's side beat Portugal 20-10.

Scotland lift first silverware in Tokyo

Scotland beat Kenya 26-12 in the Shield final to lift the first piece of silverware at the 2012 Tokyo Sevens.

In the semi finals James Fleming's late second try snatched a 21-19 victory against Russia in the semi finals, whilst Humphrey Kayange's second try also secured a dramatic 24-17 win over hosts Japan. 

TOKYO TOP SCORERS

TOKYO RESULTS

Story and photo courtesy of irb.com