The Fijians opened the scoring at Skilled Park with a converted try to skipper Stefano Cakau before Tomasi Cama sliced the deficit to two points.

Cama, who was later named player of the tournament, put New Zealand 12-7 ahead only for Fiji to level when Joeli Lutumailagi raced clear to score.

A minute later Emosi Vuago scored after a turnover in New Zealand's 22 and then Watisoni Votu crossed the line to clinch victory.

"It is a big thing for the boys," said Fiji coach Etuate Waqa. 

"We need a platform to start it off and this is a stepping stone to something.

"It is very important to us, we have spoken about it, we want to go back to being number one in the world and if we can start it off like this it sets a platform that we can build on.

"We knew it would be physical, we just asked the boys to be composed."


Fiji, who lost to New Zealand 28-5 in the opening pool game yesterday, advanced to the final after defeating South Africa 24-7 in the semis, after leading 19-0 at halftime.

New Zealand spoiled hosts Australia's hopes of a Sevens World Series win at home for the first time in 10 years with a 26-7 victory in the semi-finals.

"Plenty of positives to take, it is our first tournament and we did enough I thought to win this," said New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens.

"But that is Sevens, we might have played well against Fiji in the pool but the team can turn around and do exactly the same to you.

"Lots to play for going to Dubai [for the second round in the Series], we know we are good enough.

"The boys will be kicking themselves and we had set some good standards."

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