Fiji bounced back from a loss to Argentina in the pool stages of the World Games to beat surprise finalists Portugal 43-10 and successfully defend their Rugby Sevens title before an enthusiastic crowd in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei.
Over the two days of a highly successful Sevens event at the Kaohsiung Main Stadium, 39,000 spectators watched the action as rugby's shorter form once again proved a major hit at a multisport format event.
The Fijians, who also won the title in 2001, ran in seven tries in the final with experienced Sevens stars Emosi Vucago and Nasoni Roko both scoring a brace to beat the former European champions.
Portugal, who had finished seventh in the European Sevens Championship two weeks ago, caused the big shock on day two by beating 2005 bronze medallists and Rugby World Cup Sevens runners-up Argentina 19-12 in the semi final, with Goncalo Foro scoring two tries.
The other semi final was a repeat of the 2005 final and Fiji once again came out on top of South Africa, the IRB Sevens World Series champions, with a brace from Seremaia Buruto seeing the islanders to a 21-7 victory.
South Africa did bounce back from the disappointment at missing out on a first 'major' title to beat Argentina 17-0 in the bronze medal match in the Main Stadium with captain Mpho Mbiyozo among their try scorers.
The Springboks had been one of only two teams - the other Argentina - to start day two unbeaten, but the two enjoyed contrasting quarter finals. South Africa overwhelmed Hong Kong 39-0, while the Pumas edged USA in a close affair 19-12.
Portugal overcame Japan 17-0 to earn their meeting with Argentina, while Fiji ended the medal hopes of the host nation - who had caused the first upset on day one by beating IRB Sevens regulars USA 22-17 - with a 28-5 victory.
In the other positional play-offs Japan finished on a winning note to claim seventh place with a 19-5 defeat of regional rivals Hong Kong, while a much improved USA team avenged their day one defeat by Chinese Taipei with a tight 21-19 win to finish fifth.
Day two results
Quarter finals:
South Africa 39-0 Hong Kong
Chinese Taipei 5-28 Fiji
Japan 0-17 Portugal
Argentina 19-12 USA
Semi finals:
South Africa 7-21 Fiji
Portugal 19-12 Argentina
Positional Play-offs
Hong Kong 12-17 Chinese Taipei
Japan 24-29 USA
7th Place: Hong Kong 5-19 Japan
5th Place: Chinese Taipei 19-21 USA
Bronze medal match: South Africa 17-0 Argentina
Final: Fiji 43-10 Portugal
Day one results
Pool A
South Africa 29-0 Chinese Taipei
USA 7-22 Portugal
South Africa 7-5 Portugal
USA 17-22 Chinese Taipei
South Africa 26-7 USA
Portugal - Chinese Taipei
Pool B
Fiji 26-10 Hong Kong
Argentina 15-5 Japan
Fiji 19-10 Japan
Argentina 31-0 Hong Kong
Fiji 7-17 Argentina
Japan 20-5 Hong Kong
