New Zealand were just to clinical and organised for England in the final of the Cup in Scotland. England did stay in touch albeit having to come back from a big deficit to close to 19-14 before New Zealand stretched away to a big win 29-14 and almost certainly take the IRB series crown for another year. The Kiwis are now on 150 points with Fiji on 139 which says New Zealand will need a disaster at Twickenham if they are to be overtaken. England sit in third at the moment on 123 out of the running for the top spots.
The third place play-off is a horrible match to play, but it was important for Fiji to win this one to stay in touch with New Zealand so it was that Fiji beating Australia by 31-17 they picked up valuable points
Samoa take a convincing win and the points against Wales in the final of the Plate. Wales simply lacked the pace and power to really trouble Samoa who apart from losses against Fiji and New Zealand have looked the class outfit we know they are. Final score Samoa 31-12 Wales.
The great result of the weekend was Russia winning the Bowl. This was a convincing win against Spain 33-19 as Henry Paul’s team continue to improve a remarkable feat given they are not a professional outfit.
In the Shield Kenya had just to much experience for a USA team that was beginning to show the wear from a hard weekend. Kenya needed to pick up as they had another poor tournament. The Shield win by 22-14 did please their travelling support.
Results Finals
41 16:42 UNITED STATES 14-22 KENYA Final Shield
42 17:10 RUSSIA 33-19 SPAIN Final Bowl
43 17:38 SAMOA 31-12 WALES Final Plate
44 18:06 FIJI 31-17 AUSTRALIA Third Place
45 18:36 ENGLAND 14-29 NEW ZEALAND Final Cup