Fiji’s Savenaca Rawaca (R) is tackled by England’s Josh Watkins during the final of the Dubai Sevens on December 5, 2015. PHOTO/AFP
DUBAI, December 5- World champions Fiji won the Dubai Sevens for the second time in three years on Saturday with a 28-17 victory over England in the final.
Fiji scored all of their points in the first half after falling behind to an early Tom Bowen try.
Savenaca Rawaca, Jasa Veremalua, Jerry Tuwai, who had suffered a bout of food poisoning overnight and had been on a drip before Saturday’s action, and Isake Katonibau grabbed Fiji’s four tries for a 28-7 lead at the break.
England, the 2010 and 2013 champions, rallied with late second half tries through Phil Burgess and a second score for Bowen.
The series moves on to Cape Town next week with Fiji remaining the team to beat ahead of the sport’s debut at the Olympics in Rio next year.
For Fiji coach Ben Ryan, a former England boss, it was a fourth Dubai triumph in six years as he saw his side sweep through the tournament.
They defeated Australia 19-12 in their quarter-finals with tries from Kotanibau, captain Osea Kolinisau and Rawaca.
That was followed up by a 19-5 win against New Zealand in the semi-finals thanks to scores from Viliame Mata, Pio Tuwai and Veremalua.
“England are a tough side so we are happy to come through as winners,” said Kolinisau, playing in his 43rd World Sevens event.
“It keeps us on a roll for the next round in South Africa.”
South Africa won the Plate, France took the Bowl and the Shield went to Canada.
