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Samoan Sevens try-machine Mikaele Pesamino has paid tribute to his country’s fanatical and passionate fans, following his sides Adelaide Sevens win.

Samoa closed the gap between themselves and New Zealand to just two points in the race for the IRB Sevens World Series title, with the next leg in Hong Kong starting on Friday.

"This day is special for us. Our supporters cheer for us and we love them, it's like we play in Samoa. It's all come from our heart, our humble hearts," said Pesamino after his team's 38-10 success over the USA in yesterday’s final.

"For me (scoring tries) it's awesome. I feel great because my aim is to be top try scorer at all these tournaments and also the Series, put Samoa up to the top level, also myself and my family."

Beaten USA captain Kevin Swiryn was naturally disappointed with the final loss but was delighted with the way the team had made its way to its first-ever Sevens final

"We had a pretty nice run but we didn't play our best and they played really well," he said.

"I told the boys that they can't be down right now and then be happy when we win the Shield. We just got second place at a World Series event but you still have that feeling of disappointment because you've lost.
"We're going to be up and ready, I just think we've got to build more."

Samoa had put away the hopes of home side Australia at the semi-final stage with Pesamino again in inspired form.

“We were 19-0 down before we knew what was going on, and they denied us the ball, comprehensively outplayed us in the air and on the ground I thought,” said Australia coach Michael O’Connor. .

“It is very hard to come back from that sort of score line in the second half and the way they started they were on a roll, they denied us possession and our blokes were a bit shell shocked I think.”

Tietjens and Treu proud

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens, whose team clinched the Plate competition in a tournament which the All Blacks are yet to win, cited the bonuses of beating South Africa and Fiji but could not hide his players' disappointment.

"The players are disappointed, it's like any tournament when you play well and I think we played well in this tournament. I'm pretty proud of the guys," he said.

"After the disappointing (Cup quarter-final) loss to Samoa in extra time to turn around and beat Fiji and then beat South Africa, losing Lote Raikabula and Sherwin Stowers, our guys have picked it up pretty well and I'm confident going to Hong Kong. I know our guys can really pick it up, play well and perhaps if a few rulings go our way we can do well."

South Africa coach Paul Treu was happy with his young side’s efforts, with youngster Sampie Mastriet particularly impressing on his IRB Sevens debut. 

“To see our younger players come through in the manner in which Sampie Mastriet, Chris Dry and Branco du Preez has done, definitely makes me positive about the future of our side. Sampie scored a hat trick in his first game and scored nine in his first tournament,” said Treu.

“We have the chance to correct our mistakes of Adelaide in Hong Kong next week and I am positive about our chances at that tournament.”