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New Zealand defeated South Africa 28-20 to win their first-ever Adelaide Sevens and strengthen their grip on the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Tomasi Cama, who had a brilliant final, scored twice and set up others to Lote Raikabula and Frank Halai as the Kiwis avenged their loss in the 2008 final to the same opponents. Although South Africa stormed back to lead 20-14 the Kiwis produced a comeback of their own to go 13 points clear of England with two tournaments to play.

"It was good to win as we were pumped up before that final against South Africa as it's a bit of a fortress here for them," said Cama. "The boys were mentally focussed and put Hong Kong behind us from the first game until the last.

Cama topped the scoring for the weekend with 63 and became New Zealand's top points scorer in history overtaking Amasio Valence, finishing the tournament with 1172 ahead of Valence's 1124. However, the 30-year old was already thinking about London and Edinburgh.

"We are looking forward to the last two tournaments and we are trying hard to keep that Series lead, but England are not far behind and it's their home tournament so we need to prepare well."

New Zealand looked to be well in control in the first half leading 14-5 but Branco du Preez's try, to follow an earlier score to Chris Dry, gave them a chance at halftime, and a further fightback saw the Blitz Bokke lead 20-14.

Cama, playing his 37th IRB tournament, stepped up to the plate putting Halai in for his seventh try of the weekend before scoring again himself to seal the victory.

"We didn't take our opportunities and they took theirs," said South African captain Kyle Brown. "They are a good team but I believe we could have had that game if we stuck to the basics."

South Africa have overtaken Fiji and Samoa on the points table and head to Twickenham in good heart.

"We have plenty to play for," said Brown. "We are very proud of our Springbok and we want to get up the table as far as we can."

Declaration Expected at the Oval
The Adelaide Oval turned on arguably the best tournament of its five years, with a superb playing surface, the new western grandstand and glorious autumn weather setting up a delightful atmosphere.

A crowd of 14000 officially, although feeling more like eight or ten, got into the Sevens spirit with colourful costumes, but it would not be a surprise to see the Gold Coast or Perth host the event next season. The ARU will announce the venue in mid-April.

In possibly the penultimate match, Argentina and Wales, both late winners in their semifinal, played their hearts out for the 12 Series points for the Plate, with Wales winning 14-7.

Alex Cuthbert scored his sixth try of the tournament to give Wales the lead at the break, but Diego Palma levelled the scores for the South Americans. Welsh captain Jevon Groves celebrated his birthday with the winning score.

The USA beat Kenya, and their legion of fans, 17-10 in the Bowl final while Japan won their first silverware of the season beating Tonga 22-5 and proudly displaying the flag emblazoned with good luck messages.

Earlier, they were unlucky against the USA who needed a Paul Emerick try after the hooter to win their Bowl quarterfinal 22-19.

Samoa and England no match in Semis
New Zealand, who had lost the last six on the trot against Samoa, started like the proverbial house on fire, being up 21-0 before the defending champions touched the ball.

Powerful winger Halai grabbed a hattrick and Tim Mikkelson and Raikabula got the other scores in a comprehensive display. Although Samoa scored two late tries the Kiwis made the Final for the fifth time in six tournaments this season with a 33-17 victory.

South Africa, playing England for the first time in Adelaide, fully deserved their 19-0 win, which could have been more.

Youngsters Sibusiso Sithole and Tshotso Mbovane and playmaker du Preez scored for South Africa, with Cecil Afrika just missing out on two others after trademark chip kicks, and defended stoutly throughout.

England were without an injured Ben Gollings and Nick Royle but Chris Cracknell said they had no excuses for the loss, their worst performance against South Africa since 2006.

"We let them dictate the game and play their style of rugby and not our style and didn't make the most of it," he said. "We had 10 players and a few knocks but that's part of the game and we didn't do the job. It's certainly not how we wanted to finish."

Kiwis win easy but other quarters close-run
New Zealand ran away with the quarterfinal against Argentina winning 47-7. Halai scored two tries before being replaced and Solomon King was also impressive grabbing a double. Cama and Toby Arnold orchestrated the midfield and Bryce Heem was also strong.

Australia were unlucky against Samoa leading 14-7 at halftime only to go down 19-14. Two classy assists from Uale Mai, in his 70th tournament provided scores to Tom Iosefo and Ofisa Treviranus.

Australian coach Michael O'Connor was unhappy with the refereeing, calling it a "stitch-up". But he had no complaints after the 31-28 loss to Argentina in the Plate semi, instead saying his side had a lot of work to do before heading north to defend the London Sevens in late May.

South Africa also came from behind to beat Fiji 24-12 turning on a stunning second half against one of the crowd favourites.

Fiji led 12-0 with tries to Emosi Vucago and David Batiratu but Sithole, du Preez, Brown and Mbovane gave the Bokke revenge after losing at the same stage last week.

England overcame neighbours Wales 17-12 after leading 14-7 at halftime. Dan Norton scored one try and set up another to Mat Turner and Gollings kicked a late penalty to put England into their first-ever semifinal at the Adelaide Oval.

Results from Adelaide Sevens

Cup
Quarterfinals
New Zealand 47 Argentina 7
Samoa 19 Australia 14
South Africa 24 Fiji 12
England 17 Wales 12

Semifinals
New Zealand 33 Samoa 17
South Africa 19 England 0

Final
New Zealand 28 South Africa 20

Plate
Semifinals
Argentina 31 Australia 28
Wales 22 Fiji 21

Final
Wales 14 Argentina 7

Bowl
Quarterfinals
Kenya 26 Papua New Guinea 17
France 21 Tonga 17
USA 22 Japan 19
Scotland 28 Cook Islands 0

Semifinals
Kenya 24 France 10
USA 29 Scotland 19

Final
USA 17 Kenya 10

Shield
Semifinals
Tonga 24 Papua New Guinea 19
Japan 31 Cook Islands 21
 

Final
Japan 22 Tonga 5

HSBC Sevens World Series
New Zealand 134
England 121
Samoa 100
Fiji 96
South Africa 92
Australia 52
Argentina 32
Wales 30
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