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Red Rock came from behind to beat Army 19-15 to win the inaugural Uprising Beach Resort International Sevens.

The Suva club repeated the result of November's Coral Coast Sevens as they recovered from a 0-15 halftime deficit, with Isoa Tuinakoro scoring the winning try as the final hooter sounded. The result, on a glorious Suva day in front of a packed grandstand and a vast number of sun umbrellas on the embankment, followed an extra-time victory over Navy in the quarters and a gritty win over the Wardens in the semi.

Army had the better of the first half with Dale Tonawai, Aminasi Nava and Sevuloni Lutu all getting on the scoresheet. But ill-discipline cost them as Varinava Are and Seniyasi Matelewena both scored when Army were down to six men. A thrilling finish eventuated when Red Rock raced 60 metres from a tap penalty although the final pass looked suspiciously forward.

Red Rock nevertheless deserved the $20,000 prizemoney as the only unbeaten team over the weekend, against quality local and international opposition.

"It was a great final and we managed to work together to win the final," said Red Rock captain Peni Gaunimeke. "We were not worried at halftime as we knew our turn would come in the second half."

The Digicel Fiji Barbarians may have bombed but the tournament underlined the strength of, and the passion for, the game in the Fiji islands. The top four, and seven of the top eight, were from Fiji while the presence of former greats Waisale Serevi, Marika Vunibaka and Bill Satala added to the appeal of the event with 'the Maestro' in particular drawing loud applause whenever he took to the field.

Gaunimeke said the standard of the tournament was very high. "The Navy are very good and so are the Wardens as they both have Fiji reps so we're happy to beat them both."

Uprising owner Rene Munch was delighted with the tournament and the crowd of approximately 7500. "The standard of play from the local teams was the highest I've seen at any local tournament," said Munch. "The conditions were perfect, it was a great turnout and we're very happy. "The international teams have loved the hospitality, the accommodation and the location so we think we've done very well for ourselves. The planning has already started for next year and we're already looking forward to it."

And Fiji Barbarians coach Sale Sorovaki defended the decision to field a development squad in Suva. "We had committed to Darwin as we have attended every year, although with the strength of this tournament we will look at fielding a stronget team next year. These are our supporters and a tournament like this can help rebuild Fiji rugby."

Visiting Teams Take Minor Placings

The Samoan Barbarians edged Navy 31-26 in extra time in the Plate final after leading 19-7 at the break.

The Navy, who beat finalists Army on Day One, clawed back the visitors to tie the match at the final hooter but Afa Aiono crashed over in sudden-death to give Stephen Betham's team a consolation victory.

Mikaele Pesamino missed the second day with a knee injury but is confident of recovering in time for the Wellington Sevens.

Kiwi club Ponsonby finished their first tournament in Fiji with a win in the Bowl Final. Adam Siddell, Rocky Khan, Jona Tuitoga and Neli Sasulu scored tries as Ponsonby held off a Nadroga comeback to win 24-17. Ponsonby earlier beat their Kiwi cousins Aotearoa Maori 27-12 with Solomon King impressing with two tries.

Nadroga beat Uprising 24-19 in extra time to make the Bowl final.

National Selection Wide Open

The Fiji Barbarians beat the Pacific Coast Grizzlies 26-12 to win the Shield though coach Sorovaki admitted the result was not what they expected. "We would have liked to progress a bit further yesterday but we didn't so a win is a win in the Shield," he said. "We have to work on a number of things before Wellington and the players need to get stronger mentally and believe in themselves."

Sorovaki named Peni Gaunimeke as a player pushing for selection for the Wellington and Las Vegas legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series. "We've seen him play well and also a few other standout players in this tournament in the Navy and the Army teams so the door is open for selection."

The Red Rock playmaker must surely be in line for a call up to the national side after his performances with his speed and ball skills, along with his goalkicking ability, playing a key part in Red Rock's success and he himself was hopeful of getting his opportunity in the national colours. "I'm ready to take part in the Fiji team and if they choose me to play for my country I'll do my best for them."

The Fiji side will be announced on Tuesday.

Final Four All Fiji

Earlier, Red Rock and Wardens played out a tight semifinal with the lawmen leading 7-5 at the break. However, Red Rock made the most of a Wardens man in the sin bin creating the overlap for Larinava Are to score. Up 12-7 Red Rock closed out the win to progress to the final. The Navy almost upset Red Rock in the quarters when a late try to Sakaraia Tui forced extra time. A penalty opportunity went begging for Navy and Gaunimeke weaved his way 70 metres to score the match-winning try.

Army made the Final with a comfortable win over Samurai Exile (Waimanu). The bigger Army dominated possession, scoring twice in the first spell and maintaining that lead throughout.  Earlier, they had their monster defence to thank as they shocked the Samoan Barbarians with a 25-5 thrashing in the quarter-final. Three early tries and a dropped goal to Isake Katonibau were scored before Samoa even got into Army's half. Trailing 0-20 at halftime, Fautua Otto got the Samoans on the board but the IRB champions had no answers.

In the other quarter finals Wardens beat Digicel Matai Select in a 5-0 nail-biter with Ilai Tinai scoring the only try. Marika Vunibaka (now 36) brought an enormous cheer with a sprint to catch the flying Livai Ikanikoda but Matai's final opportunity, with Wardens a man short, went astray.

Samurai Exile defeated the Police 7-5 in their quarter-final after a scoreless second half with captain David Batiratu scoring Samurai's only try.

Results

CUP

Quarterfinals

Red Rock 22 Navy 17 (AET)

Wardens 5 Digicel Matai Select 0

Samurai Exile 7 Police 5

Army 25 Samoa Barbarians 5

Semifinals

Red Rock 12 Wardens 7

Army 19 Samurai 7

Final

Red Rock 19 Army 15

PLATE

Semifinals

Navy 28 Digicel Matai Select 5

Samoa Barbarians 35 Police 5

Final

Samoa Barbarians 31 Navy 26 (AET)

BOWL

Quarterfinals Nadroga 24 Les Bleus 19

Uprising Beach Resort 17 Fiji Barbarians 12

Aotearoa Maori 38 New Caledonia 5

Ponsonby 21 Pacific Coast Grizzlies 12

Semifinals

Nadroga 24 Uprising Beach Resort 19 (AET)

Ponsonby 27 Aotearoa Maori 12

Final

Ponsonby 24 Nadroga 17

SHIELD

Semifinals Fiji Barbarians 24 Les Bleus 5

Pacific Coast Grizzlies 45 New Caledonia 5

Final

Fiji Barbarians 26 Pacific Coast Grizzlies 12

Nick Jordan is in Fiji thanks to Air Pacific and Tourism Fiji