Samoa’s win at the USA Sevens was just fantastic. You have got to have some experience to beat New Zealand and I thought the way the Samoans played it in that final was just spot on.

Alafoti Fa'osiliva was brilliant. He’s the guy that actually wins the ball and then you can get it to the guys who can grab all the glory, like the remarkable Mikaele Pesamino on the wing.

Another factor that was a feature of Samoa’s play was their support play. They would also not be afraid to take a couple into contact with the likes of Simaika Mikaele and Fa'osiliva managing to contain the superb New Zealand captain DJ Forbes, who was himself in inspired form throughout.

And of course you then need the playmaker to distribute. Uale Mai was again in inspired form, pulling the Samoan strings from half back as only he can do. His vision when he can spot mismatches and who is up against who. A classic example in the final here was when he floated a ball to Reupena Levasa who was up against DJ Forbes and you knew that Forbes wouldn’t have the speed to stop him.

He’s now agreed to play the rest of the Series which is obviously crucial for their overall ambitions this season.

New Zealand did pretty well considering they had lost three players, with Tokula suspended and injuries to Sherwin Stowers and Ben Souness. It meant they were down to nine players and had to call upon a reserve pool player from US Champions Belmont Shore.

Losing Stowers was a particular blow for that final as he really does that provide that cutting edge that’s been so evident this season. But as always they were so resilient and it could have swung in their favour if a couple of things had gone their way.

I’m thrilled because this was Samoa’s sixteenth final and only their fourth title, compared to New Zealand who has won 37 times in 55 finals on the IRB Sevens.

So it spreads things around and opens things up with New Zealand, Samoa, and Fiji all close up there in the table as we enter the second half of the season.

Aussies realise potential

Another exciting development here in Las Vegas has been the development of Australia. These youngsters who have played all season are now getting some confidence.

Their progression from a good weekend in Wellington here in the USA was very much in evidence. Guys like Kimami Situati, Bernard Foley, and Pat McCutcheon were all crucial. They are a side that other teams wouldn’t mind avoiding now.

South Africa are another side who should go away happy after such a tough season for them thus far. Cecil Afrika was simply inspired for them throughout the weekend, the only blemish the injury he picked up – but he is now up on his feet and it doesn’t look too serious.

I’ve never seen him play better and he was so sharp and quick off the mark spotting any opportunity. He’s quicker than a Tomasi Cama, Uale Mai, or a Simon Amor.

I didn’t expect too much from England with the amount of changes and injuries they have had. You can’t suddenly become an expert. They had Gollings, they had Rodwell but beyond that they didn’t have anyone with much experience.

They must have learnt a lot with these new combinations and they will come through like Australia. Kenya is also back in the mix, defeating England in the quarter-finals with the whole team contributing which will please coach Benjamin Ayimba.

I think hosting the USA Sevens here in Vegas has been a triumph. I guess we were all a little sceptical about it all and especially if the pitch would hold up. It had just be resurfaced and laid down on the plastic surface here at the University of Nevada’s American Football pitch.

It was also narrower by 10m which I think altered things. Teams had to adjust. We saw a lot of deep kickoffs which was tactically interesting, with Australia doing it particularly well in their win over Fiji and Samoa the same in the final, sending Cama back to the 22 then putting the pressure on with the wave

The support both Kenya and the Pacific Islands received was incredible and I think the scenes at the end when the crowd all rushed on will inspire more people to come back next year which can only be a good thing. It’s going to be an exciting finish to this season with four legs remaining.

Next stop Adelaide.