Fiji, who once dominated the Sevens world, shone again, beating the young Australians 35-19 in the final to claim the first rugby title of the World Games in Akita, Japan.

South Africa finished fifth, beating Canada easily 34-5 in the play-off game. The South Africans, coached by Norman Mbiko and managed by Chester Williams, started off well by beating Japan 33-7 in their first group match.

The Springboks easily accounted for Great Britian in their second match, winning 43-5. However, in the game to determine the group winner the South Africans lost 21-19 to Australia.

And New Zealand repeated their Tri-Nations win of Saturday against the Springboks by beating the Sevens side 15-12 in the quarterfinals.

In the final the Fijians, led by Waisale Serevi, the master of sevens, scored a try within two minutes. Fero Lasagavbau broke through the Australian defence with a dummy pass and crossed the try-line.

A minute later, Lasagavbau again made a good break, this time sprinting almost half the length of the field along the touch line, and just before the try-line past to Serevi, who easily touched down.

Serevi converted both tries. It was seven minutes later when Patrick Phibbs attacked effectively right side of a scrum and made first try for Australians. At the interval, Fiji led 14-5.

Just 46 seconds in the second half, after both sides made some handling errors, Australian Tui Junior Talaia finally secured the ball and scored a try which was converted by Julian Huxley. Australia narrowed the gap to 14-12, but the Fijians hit back with three more tries.

Serevi scored a total of 98 points with 8 tries and 29 goals, becoming the top scorer, followed by Huxley who scored total 74 points with 6 tries and 22 goals.

New Zealand, holders of the World Cup Sevens and World Sevens Series titles, finished third, beating France in 3rd place playoff to win the bronze medals. New Zealand lost to arch-rival Fiji in the semifinal, 0-45