Rugby Union: Australian seals Sevens title for Fiji

THE world champions, Fiji, hoisted a record eighth Hong Kong Sevens title yesterday, beating Samoa 28-19 before a near-capacity crowd of 37,000 at the Hong Kong Stadium. The Australian Bruce Rauqe, drafted in from the player pool with the New Zealander Aisea Tuilevu to reinforce Fiji's battered ranks, sneaked the win in the final minute when Fiji were clinging to a precarious two-point lead.

The Fijian captain, Waisale Serevi, said that lifting the title was getting harder every year - and this from a man who has won five Hong Kong Sevens and one World Cup event in 10 visits to the tournament. "Before, only Fiji and New Zealand were strong, now all the teams know how to play Sevens," he said.