A superb first-half display from New Zealand overwhelmed Fiji as the home side retained their Wellington sevens rugby title with a 24-7 win at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Fiji made the early running, but New Zealand's defence was well organised despite a couple of early missed tackles in heavy rain and slippery conditions.
New Zealand broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when Tomasi Cama's searching kick ahead was picked up by Tim Mikkelson who off-loaded in the tackle for captain DJ Forbes to score.
Cama's conversion stretched the lead, which lengthened further when try-scoring machine Frank Halai picked up his fifth of the weekend after Forbes forced a turnover at the breakdown.
Halai added try another within two minutes, standing up Osea Kolinisau as he hared down the right touch.
Elusive playmaker Cama then picked up New Zealand's fourth, running around the hapless Kolinisau as the home team took a 24-0 lead into halftime.
The second half was a calmer affair, New Zealand's defensive effort and the slippery ball forcing a series of handling errors from Fiji. They worked hard to build momentum but had to wait until the dying seconds of the match before grabbing a consolation try through Waisea Nayacalevu.
Afterwards, New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens paid tribute to the outstanding defensive effort.
"We knew it was going to be tough, the conditions didn't make it easier but our defence was outstanding. We turned that into a lot of pressure, and forced them into mistakes," Tietjens said.
New Zealand had to work had to secure their third finals berth in four world series tournaments.
They stuttered initially before downing France 22-7 in their quarter-final, then had to pull out all stops to haul back England in the semi-final for a strength-sapping 17-12 extra-time win.
Fiji's path to the final was easier when they racked up a comfortable 21-5 quarter-final win over South Africa then ran riot in subduing Samoa 28-5 in the semis.
The win gives defending champions New Zealand the outright lead in the IRB world series standings with 70 points, while Fiji sit just three points behind in second as the teams head to Las Veges next week.
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