Sir Gordon Tietjens, New Zealand head coach: "It is great but that was really tough. Australia must have been tiring but a gutsy performance from them. Even England, we had a great day yesterday, we only conceded one try up until the final and had gone well. Perhaps we came out a little bit complacent in the final, but we then knew we had a game and fought back really well.

Michael O'Connor, Australia coach: "I think the team did exceptionally well over the weekend. To get in the final under the circumstances in the semi against South Africa was great. It's the best result we've had while I have been coaching in a first tournament, so we start the season with a good positive start."

Ben Ryan, Fiji coach, Plate winners: "The warmth and generosity of the Fijian people has been outstanding. On the field we have a lot of work to do. We have a huge amount of talent in Fiji, now we just need to make sure we have the right guys on the pitch, they are fit and good for purpose. We want to be lifting Cups, not Plates. When we are on the money, as you've seen there, they play good rugby, we just need to be more consistent." 

Simon Amor, England coach, third place: "It has been a great experience, it is a wonderful set up in the Gold Coast. Pleased for my guys, we made a lot of mistakes but we progressed from the first to the last. South Africa are a fantastic side but I think they just ran out of steam there."

France's captain Vincent Deniau, Bowl winners: "That was a big game, Canada is a very good team. But we won three games so it was good for us today and we said it was a minimum to win the Bowl today. The spirit was better for us and we need to keep that for Dubai next."

USA player/coach Matt Hawkins, Shield winners: "It has been fantastic. It was frustrating overall but we came back and won those last two matches which we really need to do. We went three and three, last year we were four losses and one win and we were scratching our heads so at least we have something to build on."

Argentina's Santiago Gomez Cora, the all-time leading try scorer in the history of Sevens and now head coach: "I found all the teams were at a good level. There used to be five or six teams would be at the top, but now there are 12, 13, or 14. Every match is very hard, so we have to work more than I thought. I thought maybe when you were a coach you had more time to rest but no there is so much to think about, but I love it."

Nathan Sharpe, HSBC Ambassador: "It has been absolutely sensational. the standard of Sevens is getting higher and higher and you can't beat the atmosphere in terms of a weekend out. I have been impressed with the ethic of the Australian team, particularly in this tournament. There have been times they have found themselves in difficult situations but they have chased it and look like they are playing for each other so they will just get better."

Beth Coalter, IRB Sevens Operations Manager: "We have seen some amazing rugby to get the season underway. The Gold Coast is a great way to start and the rugby on the pitch, starting from match one, has been tremendous. There is extra pressure this year with the promotion/relegation and that is adding something else in all the matches with no side wanting to be in that 15th spot."

DAY ONE REACTION

Neil Powell, South Africa coach, on a good first day at the office: "It's been a great day, three wins from three, but this counts for nothing if we don't come back tomorrow and play like we did tonight then it counts for nothing. I think there is a lot of character, only coming in two nights ago to come and play like this I am really proud of them on day one."

Ben Ryan, FIji head coach: "We've worked hard on that in the last three sessions. "They're like sponges, I can't wait to get stuck intothem over the coming months."

Australia's most capped Test player George Gregan, on who he thinks could win: "Kenya. They just keep improving year after year. I always enjoy watching Fiji because they play pure sevens rugby, they've been my standout team so far."

Avan Lee, Sevens General Manager: "It's great to be here on the opening day of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Australia. We're at the start of an exciting time in Sevens and this season is no different with the Commonwealth Games at the end of it. With one of the 15 core sides also being relegated after London, you can already sense that there is an extra level of tension and excitement surrounding each match for the teams and the fans."

Santiago Gomez Cora, Argentina coach: "I didn't enjoy it, but that's my first win. I thought it would be more relaxed as a coach than a player, but no! We know this kind of thing can happen, it is a new team, the idea is to grow and grow, step by step. This is our situation, we have to play in Bowl and learn how to grow in different situations."

Nanyak Dala, Canada Sevens: "We have to go out there and do it for Nate, the boys showed up and played some good rugby. We didn't have much ball in the first game, but we had more there and it certainly paid off."