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20:37

The Hong Kong stadium is emptying and rugby's prized fiesta is at an end I'm afraid. Another grueling, spectacular few days of IRB Sevens. A full summary of today will appear shortly on UR7s. Thanks for following and cheers to that social animal 'Stumpy' for all the updates from that crazy haven in the South Stand - those livers might be feeling it tomorrow I'd say. HK 7'S - undoubtedly still the IRB's Jewel in the Crown.

It's Goodbye from 7s HQ in So Kon Po...till next time kids ;)

Ultimate Rugby Sevens - For Everything Sevens...

20:25

The trophy is presented and the fireworks blaze up the beautiful Hong Kong skyline and let's be frank its about time something positive went these Fijians way this year. They haven't won here in So Kon Po for a decade and the crowd are going bananas. Epic atmosphere. Spine tingling stuff.

The only question now is will this young crop step on for the last three remaining tournaments? The Boks will be kicking themselves about those first up tackles and not making the Fijians pay for their sin bins - at least they can take some solace that they are now the Series leaders...

20:18

Fair credit to Fiji they have had a terrible time of it this season with sackings and selection controversy but that is now seemingly all forgotten! They really turned the screw though today and their quarter-final win against England seemed to give them the confidence that they are back in the saddle in the sports top echelon.

Sevens is a religion on Fiji's tiny island and coach Iliesa Tanivula who has copped the most flack is overwhelmed with emotion. Fiji are the true darlings of Hong Kong once again - How open is this season becoming!!?

20:08

Cup Final: Fiji v South Africa

Vucago's twirling out of a challenge to give Fiji an early 5 pointer with the conversion narrowly missing courtesy of the bar. Brutal intensity with the Boks belying their physical stature but now its Goneva assisting with a well timed pass to his mate Kolinisau- 12-0. Wow more Fijian points and more Boks missing tackles with Burotu ducking and weaving before hitting Vucago for his second. Dazel and Powell combine and its the former who sidestepping to reduce the deficit. 19 -5 to Fiji. Getting spicy! A trademark Benjamin mini-break, ably supported by Ebersohn for 7 valuable points. 19-12 to Fiji.

SA keep missing these tackles with Tuwai - my personal player of the tournment - escaping their clutches and big Burotu is in for a converted try to stretch their lead to 26-12. Key moment....Roko is binned for putting the boot in after Brown's break.It's a Zangqa try! Again Benjamin the creator and it's 26-19 to Fiji. Boks keep pressing but Fiji's tackling is abrasive and tidy and times running out for SA. Another binning for Fiji with Goneva off...SA work it left and are finally scoring with Mbiyozo in with the hooter gone. 24-26 with the kick to come to level things up....But no Stick slices it wide and FIJI ARE HONG KONG CHAMPIONS YET AGAIN!!

Cup Final:South Africa 24 Fiji 26

19:39

After 56 games its finally here. It's the le grande one Ladies and Gents....Some stats courtesy of Sean the Statto...These two have met 30 times in the IRB Sevens - it's 15 apiece. Fiji have won it 11 times. Last years finalists, South Africa, are winless here. They also met in the final at the 1997 World Cup with Fiji and that man Serevi the victors -This could go be tight, hold your hats. 10 minutes each way of course in these finals...

19:30

With all the chopping changing that a lot of teams have to face in 7s perhaps it's no surprise their results are often so mixed. Was only a few weeks ago USA were tearing up their home USA Sevens, now Canada appear to be the North American powerhouses....sorry that was a bit of the beaten Hong Kong path but thought you might care. Or maybe not.

19:26

Plate Final: Tonga v Canada

Canada have smashed everyone in this Plate - most improved team in HK? They get off to a blinder here with Hearn and DTH Van der Merwe rounding their opposite men to take them 12-0 lead. Back comes Tonga though with Kailea dummying his man before throwing a cut inside to Moimoi to reduce the defecit. That's drinks....'Hey Baby' comes on for the 10th time today and the second half is delayed untill we wait for the song to finish - only in HK!

As you might expect from these two this is an en extremely physical encounter with both sides preferring the route one approach. Tonga need to get hold of the ball but the Candian's ball continuity is admirable. But wait with the hooter gone Poteki is through and he throws it American Football style to Nili Latu to get it nearer the posts....12-12 and kick to come! Conversion is GOOD and they have robbed the Plate from a dejected Canada.

Plate Final: Tonga 14 Canada 12

19:06

Stumpy’s South Stand Update: Streakers from the SS coming thick and fast - will Stumpy do it that's the big question?!! He's not blessed with Tom Varndell express pace so doubt he would get far - although the Speedos would give him some aerodynamism. Haha amazing banter from one streaker who skins all the security guards then does a few press ups before the Portugal team, celebrating with their Bowl, chase him down with a good bosh - crowd hated that!!!

19:01

Bowl Final: Portugal v Uruguay

Portugal won't like the fact they are in the Bowl one bit but they are aiming to restore some pride with some silverware and start well when Fredrico Oliveira's cuts inside two Uruguayans to break the deadlock. Uruguay asking questions of Portugals 'D' but their tackling is organised and tough to break down. Drinks.

Mirra extends the Portugese lead with tidy little loop with Foro but Los Teros hit back with replacement Dugonjic's winning the race to his ugly hoof and its Portugal 14 Uruguay 5. Tick tock...clocks is running down for Los Teros they score at the death - a school-boy tap penalty move working for Carracedo - but the hooter has already gone and Portugal are Bowl Champions!

Cup Plate-Final: Portugal 14 Uruguay 12

18:33

Break now between the Finals....

On the big screen they are showing homemade videos that fans have been making on how they have all making on 'how to get ready for the sevens' as part of Cathy Pacific competition. No real suprises which one the crowd voted - one from an English 'lad' whose video was him running the streets of London with a tray of lagers before scoring a try with them.

'Island Dance' are now on stage getting the crowd to jive with some classic including a 'We Will Rock You' hand clap with 40,000 joining - awesome. What a special place this is, i implore you sevens fans you haven't seen anything like it - the real sevens pièce de résistance.

18:24

So it's Fiji v South Africa Final! They have both grown in confidence with each game and turned it on today after a fairly quiet Friday and Saturday. They dominated their respective Semi-Finals and it's going to be a tough to call. Do you go with Fiji's flair and power against the lightening speed of mind and feet of Paul Treu's youngsters?

18:14

2nd Cup SF - Fiji v Kenya

Roko is on fire here dazzling the Kenyans with some pace and power before popping to Seremaia Burotu to give the Fijians an ideal start. Cheeky opportunist Scrum Half try that from Vucago, going blind to extend the lead. Fiji are back! Classic stuff as the languid Tuwai’s trademark ‘chicken shuffle’ gets him room and he then runs with the ball in one hand before releasing Goneva to make it Fiji 19-Kenya 0. Injera gives the Africans a much needed score handing off Sareki.

Awesome no look flick from Tuwai sets up Burotu for his second of this one and it’s not looking good for Kenya at 24-7 now, and it seems that Quarter-Final hangover curse I was talking about has got them again. Fiji boss the last few moments of another seemingly one-sided final grinding out the clock ‘swinging’ the ball left to right. They have booked their place in the Final and who would bet against them winning their 12th title here on that form?

Cup Quarter-Final: Fiji 24 Kenya 7

18:04

It’s a repeat of the World Cup QF now with Kenya and Hong Kong's much loved Fiji battling it out for a chance to meet the Boks in the final. Kenya have a habit of carrying a hangover from their quarter’s triumphs and won’t want to repeat that here being on the cusp of their first IRB Sevens title…Fiji for me though, they have grown in stature each game this weekend and Tuwai, Roko and Burotu are going well, very well

17:52

1st Cup SF - South Africa v Samoa

Lolo Lui gets the first official drop goal of the tournament – this on the back of his late penalty kick to knock out the Pumas earlier. But the Samoans lead is short lived with Frankie Horne dummy-scissoring to scorch in under the stick with skipper Mzwandile Stick converting. Gutting that for Samoa getting a horrible bounce from Benjamin’s chip that a gleeful Ebersohn grabs to give the Boks at 14-3 lead going in to half-time.

This just isn’t Sevens PC all this kicking! It’s now Dazel's turn to nudge a three pointer to build the Boks a nice cushion. Dazel spots a vacuum of space past a disjointed Samoan defense and kicks and beats Mai to the line with blinding gas. Benjamin’s late try, expertly seals the Boks passage through to the final and guarantees that they will leave Hong Kong as the IRB Sevens leaders.

Cup Quarter-Final: South Africa 29 Samoa 3

17:44

Right moving onto the big boys now! First up is South Africa/Samoa in the first Cup Semi. The Boks can literally smell their first win here in Hong Kong. They didn’t really impress on Day 1 or 2 – but you don’t always have to, the knockouts is when you need to raise the bar and last year’s finalists are experts at that. The way the draw has worked out and the fact they are number one seeds now makes them favourites for this. Although Samoa won’t give two hoots about that and are masters are grinding out close games. Going for the Boks though me thinks.

17:31

Plate Update

Tonga stunned France 19-10 with Palei again bagging a brace, and in the other Semi-Final It was Canada who outgunned World Champs Wales 19-10

17:28

Right i'm back just went and stretched my legs to check the craic in the South Stand - heck of a party. Just had the biggest cheers of the day...Legend of a streaker who jinked past two guards and did a cheeky little dance on the halfway-line.

Bowl Update

Uruguay beat Zimbabwe beat 28-14 and Los Teros will meet Portugal in the final. They beat Japan 26-10.

16:12

Stumpy’s South Stand Update: He got here late and such is the clamor to get into the South Stand here he had to queue for a bit to get in. And today's costume of choice is.............DRUM ROLL PLEASE....'Naked Builders (plus Speedos)'. I'm heading over there now to investigate. He claims he personally started the awesome 40,000 person Mexican Wave that just kept the Hong Kong Stadium amused for 10 minutes - course you did mate.

Random Hong Sevens Fact: New Zealand’s Junior Tomasi Cama is the son of former Fijian Sevens legend Tomasi Cama who was instrumental throughout Fiji’s three successive HK wins between 1990-1992.

15:43

We now have the traditional Hong Kong Parade: Think marching bands providing pomp and circumstance whilst the pitch is awash with colours, marching bands, hot cheerleaders, and mini rugby little'uns. This is what makes this tournament 'the tournament' as far as i'm concerned simply great to watch for the 40,000 ensembled here today - Groundsmen must be having a heart-attack though!

15:29

Crowd is all a bit deflated and England look absolutely shell shocked with a lot of teapots and head in hands. Fiji have been resurrected here in HK and have finally had a bit of luck go there way, and you can't say they didn't deserve that one in the end. The last two QFs have been utterly breathtaking!

Cup Semi-Finals:

South Africa v Australia
Kenya v New Zealand

15:24

Cup QF - England v Fiji

Scrappy start with both sides looking cagey/edgy but Roko makes a burst and feeds Goneva who takes it superbly to open the scoring. Great hands now from Barrett but that’s got to be killing the ball from Fiji – yes Burotu is off – But England are folding here and a series of knock-ons prevent them from taking advantage of Fiji’s 6 men. That’s the half and Ben Ryan needs to conjure some stirring Al Pachino-esque words

Parity at last for England with Fijian born Damu breaking and popping to Vickerman whose importantly under the sticks for Gollings to successfully convert. 7-5 England. Gollings misses Sareki whose away but great stuff from little Kevin Barratt smashing him into the advertising hoardings to deny the Fijians. Bodies lying scattered all over the paddock with the clock saying zero and the hooter gone but Fiji have a penalty….they go blind and Tuawai does his familiar ‘chicken’ run to send the English packing!

Cup Quarter-Final: England 7 Fiji 10

15:08

Right after all that commotion and chaos it’s the last QF for Fiji/England! Who is going to meet those Kenyans? England have been at their destructive best so far bowing to coach Ben Ryan’s desire for them to be ‘ruthless’. HK darlings Fiji have been minding their manners in progressing here –albeit as the best Runners Up – it’s got to happen for them at some point this season, now would be a good time i'd say chaps…

14:58

Cup QF - New Zealand v Kenya

Lawrence is deceptively quick and he snakes through a gap up the middle then uses his super upper body strength to inflict an early blow for the Kiwis, which is also converted. Great burrowing from Onyango though and it tees up Innocent Simiyu who gases in from that breakdown. 7-5 to the Kiwis as drinks are served up.

Crowd going nuts for Kenya, and they are bossing this one with shed loads of posession, they opt for close quartered work and it pays off as Simiyu muscles in for his second! Conversion is badly missed, Kenya 10 - NZ 7...Great hit Asego bundling Grant into touch and then Vito is denied and it's all over! Unbelievable scenes as the Kenyan sink to the ground, they've done over the Kiwis again!

Cup Quarter-Final: New Zealand 7 Kenya 10

14:48

The story of yesterday was the incredible bravery shown by Kiwi 7s legend Zar Lawrence who had found out overnight of the tragic death of his younger 15 year old brother Wiremu, but played on scoring two tries against the Aussies.

"It's very hard. It's all emotional at the moment," he said yesterday. “My thoughts are back there but my family told me to stay here and do it for him. That's what I'm doing. I'm trying to play my best for my little brother.”

Kenya were looking sharp though yesterday and the last time these two met was in San Diego the men in black were stunned by the Africans. I know they relish playing against the defending IRB Sevens champions so this is very interesting…very interesting indeed.

14:41

Cup QF - Samoa v Argentina

Thunderous start from the islanders taking no prisoners with some 'rough you up' stuff at the breakdown bearing fruit for an early Iosua. They then simply 'swing it' (as South African Mike sitting next to me would say) down the line and Fa'osiliva is easily in. They are down to 6 though briefly with Aiono's reckless challenge from the the re-start and Bustos Moyono joins the chip n chase brigade to get them back into it - 12-5.

Lovey from Nunez Lasalle changing the angle of attack which wrong foots Samoans and Bustos Moyano is in for his second with ease. 12-12 ball game. Tight defense from both sides and The Pumas are typically terrier like as always. Seconds counting down and Samoa get a penalty...Drop goal expert Lolo Lui and to the crowds dismay opts for goal - AND GETS IT - What a nudge. Samoa are through.

Cup Quarter-Final: Samoa 15 Argentina 12

14:17

Samoa and the Pumas are up. You wouldn’t know that the Argentina might have been missing their big stars in HK. The second string have been just as effective and ruthless as always. Samoa were brave magnanimous in surviving with 6 men against Fiji to hold onto a draw and guarantee their passage for today’s Cup. Think they might just do one the South Americans…let’s see hey.

14:14

Cup QF - South Africa v Australia

Simple hands from the off from the Boks with Stick's passing with precision to fleeting feet of Robert Ebershon. Déjà vu... Australia keep it simple too, down the line with that man Morahan squeezing in to level it up at 5 apiece. With Kingi down injured Boks take advantage with the always elusive Ryno Benjamin going over just before drinks are served. Have a 90 second breather boys. 12-5 to SA.

Oooh some proper handbags with Jenkins and Benjamin having some slap and tickle, Benjamin has the last laugh dummying and injecting into the gap and evading Kingi to extend the SA lead. So many effective 'chip n chases' this weekend, Dazel adds his name to that list using some beautifully nifty feet to score. Cracking conversion from Stick. 24-5 to the Boks. Murphy's pretty pirouetting score is the Aussies only consolation.

Cup Quarter-Final: South Africa 24 Australia 10

13:56

Right first Cup Quarter coming up – it’s the Boks against the Boys from OZ. South Africa once again have yet to really click into gear but they normally time their run expertly and turn it on at the knockouts. The Aussies lost out to an inspired New Zealand yesterday but when they click….they well, click! Try machine Morahan their undoubted key man. Winner of this will meet Samoa or the Pumas in the Semis…time to get serious – it’s showtime!

13:51

Just had the Plate QF's on...France beat Korea 17-7, The Flower of Scotland wilted to a inspired Tonga 29-0 with Palei and Kailea grabbing braces. The crowd were left deflated when Hong Kong exited to impressively clinical Canada who go on to meet Wales who came from behind to see off the challenge of the USA.

13:21

Alisi Tupuailei scored a first half hat trick to give Japan a 19-0 lead against Sri Lanka. The Cherry Blossoms then held on in the second half as the Sri Lankans scored two tries, before finishing strongly to win 26-10.

They now play Portugal, for whom Pedro Leal scored three tries in a 33-5 win against China. The Cheetahs of Zimbabwe dispatched Chinese Taipei 40-14 and then Los Teros of Uruguay eventually saw off the challenge of the West Indies.

13:05

A few bleary, weary, and teary eyes this morning! I thought I had 'partied' before but Hong Kong takes it to another level!! Intensive stuff. As I look to the right South Stand is starting to show some signs of life and preparing itself for another day of high jinx and a general melee of carnage/danceathon.

Weather Update: After the Day 1 monsoon and Day 2 greyness we actually have some sun today in So Kan Po - lovely jubbly. Spoke to the Tournament Director - Rod - last night and there are general concerns about the pitch as it's cut up quiet badly and a little boggy from all the weather. Some of the players have got themselves in a right pickle in the heavy conditions with it not really suiting the twinkly toed ones.

12:32

Wassup?

Top of the morning to you! The knock-out stages are upon us at the 2009 Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens and although we have had a fantastic couple of days rugby here in Hong Kong we are now down to the real nitty gritty of this shindig with 30 valuable Cup points up for sale!

As with the majority of the Cup quarters thus far this season the margins between the top boys is minimal and I'm wary of making any predictions at this stage because it normally ends with a large dose of scrambled egg on my face...sod it - New Zealand to defend their HK crown! UR7s will be giving you updates and Live Commentary all today - you won't miss a thing kids.

Cup Quarter Finals:

South Africa v Australia
Samoa v Argentina
New Zealand v Kenya
Fiji v Kenya