More to come at Dubai Rugby Sevens: Ryan

Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens defending champions South Africa have brought in two 15s players to bolster their ranks ahead of rugby’s readmission to the Olympic Games next year.

Indeed, by half-time NZ were showing some of their old form and led 12-5, but Charlotte Caslick scored for Australia in the second half to get them to 10-12; then Ellia Green scored a signature try in the corner for the Aussies to win 15-12.

It is always nice to start off with a win.

Sherwin Stowers of News Zealand tries to escape the tackle from Carlin Isles of the U.S. in the third place final of the Sevens World Series rugby tournament in Dubai.

The win puts Fiji on top of the series standings with 22 points, ahead of England (19), US (17) and New Zealand (15).

The United States, who earlier beat a strong South Africa in the quarter-finals, had too much for New Zealand in the play-off game.

The All Blacks Sevens have scraped through to the semifinals at the opening World Series leg in Dubai.

Mulhall broke through the Canadian defence to finish and convert her own try in the first half, but the Canadians struck back nearly immediately when Jen Kish strode clear after an offload from the lethal Magali Harvey, making it 7-7 at the break.

As the teams embarked on a new-look 10-round series heading to five new destinations in Cape Town, Sydney, Vancouver, Singapore and Paris, the opening day of the iconic Dubai Sevens did not disappoint with day two set for more fireworks as the Cup competition comes to life.

Waisale Serevi, widely considered the best 7s player of all time, is the coach of this year’s Legends side, a team that boasts a collective 159 International Caps.

New Zealand’s World Cup winning centre Sonny Bill Williams will be at this weekend’s tournament as an observer, with apparent aspirations to try and break into the abridged format.

“We scored 16 tries today and every single one was converted, which is awesome”, Fiji coach Ben Ryan told gulfnews.com. “We know that a lot of teams are gunning for us and for the series”.

“Everyone is chasing an Olympic medal there and we are not afraid to say it. We are going there for the gold medal”.

England twice came from behind to overhaul the United States 24-19 in the semis. We’ve had some incredible games against them, some highs and lows, but it’s never an easy game.