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New Zealand regain their crown as kings of Commonwealth rugby sevens

New Zealand started the game in blistering fashion, Etene Nanai-Setro producing the first try of the game, with a powerful surge to break through the Fijian line.
The 18-year-old Nanai-Setro, who is of Fijian descent, produced a superb performance showing why so many have him pegged as a player with a big future.
Regan Ware then created a second try for New Zealand with some individual magic to put them 14-0 ahead.



New Zealand flew out of the blocks, scoring two tries in quick succession in the first half.
Fiji have lit up this sevens tournament with some dazzling displays, notably with wins over Wales and reigning champions South Africa in the semifinals.

But with the game running away from this big and physcial Fiji side, tempers started to flare and Sevuloni Mocenecagi and New Zealand's Sam Dixon were involved in a heated exchange.
Mocenecagi then flew into Dixon with a high tackle, leaving the New Zealander in a crumpled heap on the ground and in need of medical attention.

The Commonwealth Games is supposed to be the "Friendly Games" but this was anything but. The New Zealand bench was up and the players were furious.



Regan Ware breaks through a Fijian tackle to score New Zealand's second try of the final.
However, the referee adjudged that Mocenecagi had first made contact with Dixon's chest and produced a yellow rather than a red card.
With Mocenecagi languishing in the sin bin, New Zealand looked to have converted a third try with just seconds remaining in the first half, but after reviewing the incident the video ref decided that Ware had spilled the ball.

Mocenecagi was still off the field when play resumed but you wouldn't have noticed as Fiji started the second half on top and only a brilliant saving tackle from All Black captain Scott Curry prevented the Fijians from getting a try back.
"Scott Curry's tackle on the far side [to stop a Fiji try] was unbelievable. He made a similar one yesterday [Saturday]. Your defense always shows how tight you are as a group and I think that shone through tonight," New Zealand coach Clark Laidlaw told New Zealand website Stuff.co.nz.
The tackle would set the tone for the second half with New Zealand putting on a defensive masterclass.



New Zealand captain Scott Curry rises high in a lineout.
"It's desire. We've spent a lot of time working off the field as a group, getting close. The last couple of weeks has brought us even closer," Laidlaw said.
"That's probably the part I'm even more proud of, how close we've got as a group, and it showed in the defense."
In possession New Zealand used every tactic available to run down the clock, which was not always popular with the Australian crowd but was effective game management.
And every time Fiji looked set to break the line and race through to score a try, there would be a New Zealander to make the tackle.



New Zealand men and women's team pose with their gold medals following their wins.
In the bronze medal match earlier England came from behind to beat South Africa 21-14.

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