Give credit to Samoa. It was another phenomenal effort from them.

I was amazed at how they came back to contend and win that final. Their epic win in the semi-final against England, which lasted 27 minutes and 40 seconds, clinched the overall Series and amazingly didn’t seem to take it out of them physically.

I just thought it was fitting that this year’s IRB Sevens World Player of the Year Mikaele Pesamino got those three tries in the final. It capped an amazing season for him.

I actually would have given the award to Fa’osiliva, who I thought was a mainstay of the side. They have kept the squad together all year and guys like Alatasi Tupou and Fautua Otto came in and performed.

I suggest to the Prime Minister of Samoa, who is also the Chairman of their Rugby Union, to give them a holiday – because I think they have deserved it!

That final was an amazing experience as it was the first time Samoa and Australia have met in a final. I thought the Aussies might have beaten them considering the way the young Wallabies played in their semi-final win against New Zealand.

It was their first win against the kiwis in eight years since Brisbane 2002. And there they were against the brilliance and determination of New Zealand, who also of course had a chance of taking the overall title.
Great credit must be given to Australia coach Michael O’Connor who has done extraordinarily well with the under studies in the squad to win last week and finish runners-up here. 

Show stopping drama

The quality of those two Cup semi-finals will live with me forever. I think it shows just what a spectacle the sport has become, it was a great advertisement. The crowd, even with Scotland out of the main competition and the inclement weather, were absolutely riveted.

Even though England lost that marathon semi-final, they need to be praised.

They really lifted their game to the heights that haven’t been evident in the last few tournaments. If they can keep a squad together, with the players that Ben Ryan wants, they are a threat at every event. 

For Scotland it was important they did well. The fact that they got to the Cup quarter-finals, won the Plate, and only lost once all weekend assures that they will go to the Commonwealth Games, with their participation under threat before this weekend.

Passion for sevens

I came out to the back pitches yesterday to see what else was going on here at Murrayfield and there were 16 girls’ teams playing sevens on the Saturday. Today, there were 30 more Primary Schools taking place in another competition. Great to see. You can see the enthusiasm for the game and the growth of sevens and I really hope it continues in Scotland.

It just says to me that rugby sevens has to be one of the most exciting and entertaining team sports around. The quality of play and the individual skills from these top players combined with their fitness levels makes it something to behold.

It is why I love the game of sevens above all!