Kiwis grab Dubai hat-trick

Karl Tenana and Eric Rush were two of the Kiwi stars

Veteran All Black Eric Rush crowned a superb comeback from a broken leg to lift the Emirates Dubai Sevens title for the third year in a row after New Zealand overwhelmed South Africa 45-7.

But there were home successes too, with Scotland landing the Plate competition and Wales winning the Bowl tournament.

The Kiwis were the best side of the two-day event, and deservedly took the honours with a fine performance against South Africa.

Rush even ran in the final try as a young South Africa side struggled to match the strength and skills of the two-time world sevens champions.

Justin Wilson set the scoreboard ticking after Rush and the lively Oren Aii just missed out in a ferocious first few minutes.

The Kiwis never looked back, soon lobbing passes 30 yards and more to regroup and launch assault after assault from all angles.

Karl Temana was next over quickly followed by Anacio Valence. Aii converted. Rush added another simple finish and with Aii converting again it was 24-0 at half-time.

Eric Rush has bounced back from a broken leg

South Africa failed to find an answer and Wilson was soon in again. Aii also scampered over himself and kicked both conversions.

South Africa finally broke through the New Zealand ranks allowing Jean de Villiers to cross the line before Rush galloped off again in support and touched down a second time.

Scotland, who lost to Samoa in the quarter-finals of the main competition, made amends with a 29-7 victory over Russia to grab the consolation prize of the Plate.

Ian McInroy, one of the successes of Scotland¿s sevens campaign, scored twice, with other touchdowns coming from Clark Laidlaw, Calum MacRae and Mark Lee.

Wales lost their appeal to be reinstated in the main competition following a mistake over red and yellow cards in their 12-12 draw with Tonga.

Instead, they found themselves in the Bowl tournament for third-placed sides and beat India, Sri Lanka and Portugal on their way to victory.

The International Rugby Board removed Dubai from the world sevens series because of security fears, leading to teams such as Australia, Canada, England, Ireland and Fiji pulling out.

But the sides are expected to return at the first IRB-sanctioned event in Durban, South Africa, later in the month.

---

Friday results

Emirates International Trophy quarter-finals:
New Zealand 52-7 Korea
Russia 7-12 Tonga
South Africa 59-0 Morocco
Samoa 28-5 Scotland

Semi-finals:
New Zealand 43-0 Tonga
South Africa 19-17 Samoa

Final:
New Zealand 45-7 South Africa

Emirates Plate:
Korea 28-29 Russia
Morocco 0-29 Scotland

Final:
Scotland 29-7 Russia

Emirates Bowl:

Portugal 50-5 Arabian Gulf
Georgia 12-10 Kazakhstan
Wales 61-5 India
Kenya 14-22 Sri Lanka

Semi-finals:
Portugal 31-7 Georgia
Wales 24-12 Sri Lanka

Final:
Wales 47-5 Portugal

Emirates Shield:
Arabian Gulf 21-0 Kazakhstan
India 5-52 Kenya

Final:
Arabian Gulf 12-28 Kenya