Samoa produced the shock result of the year so far to defeat firm favourites Fiji 17-14 and win their first ever IRB Sevens World Series Cup title in Wellington.

Fiji had sauntered through the NZI Sevens for the loss of just seven points - perhaps too easily - but Samoa's physicality and cast iron will in the end proved too much as even the jinxing Ryder and Nabuliwaqa and towering Semisi Naevo could do nothing to stop Mikaele Pesamino inspire Samoan success.

Pesamino crossed inside the first two minutes to give Samoa a 7-0 lead, which they held until half time. With the Westpac crowd evenly split between the two sides the second half was thrilling and a further well worked effort took the Samoans clear before a rare penalty goal crucially put them 17-0 up. Fiji grabbed two late tries but they proved nothing more than scant consolation.

Defending champions Fiji earlier produced a near faultless display to beat hosts New Zealand 31-0 to make their first Cup final of the 2006/07 season, while Samoa performed heroics to beat South Africa 14-12.

The results throw wide open the 2006/07 IRB Sevens World Series with the current joint leaders both dropping crucial points.

England came from behind to beat France in a tight Plate final 21-12, tries from Simon Amor, Rob Thirlby and Daniel Gray overhauling a lead established through efforts from Montagnat and Deniau.

The result means that England repeat their performance of last year in Wellington, taking eight series points, while France travel on to San Diego with six.

England recovered from their Cup quarter final loss against New Zealand to come from behind and beat Canada 29-7 with Daniel Gray among the tries.

Thierry Janeczek's side built a 19-0 lead against crowd favourites Kenya and, despite a brief rally by the African side, ran out 26-5 winners in their semi, Nicolas Couttet's late try sealing the victory. Canada and Kenya each take four series points from Wellington.

Argentina overcame Tonga in a physical bowl final to win 12-5 and take two points for the series. Tevita Tuifua put the Tongans ahead but Francisco Bosch pulled the Pumas level just before the break. The second half was tighter still as both sides' defences held firm until Bosch pounced on Santiago Gomez Cora's clever through kick to seal victory.

Tonga earlier overcame first Papua New Guinea and then the Cook Islands to reach the Bowl final with Tuifua impressive throughout.

Argentina needed extra time to secure their final place after Australia fought from behind to level before Pablo Gomez Cora scored the golden try to take them through.

Portugal set aside the disappointment of their opening loss on day two against the Cook Islands to take the Shield title, beating Scotland in the final.

With coach Tomaz Morais and a clutch of players on European Nations Cup duty, the side did their country proud to beat a rejuvenated Scotland 26-24 in a fine match, Sebastiao Cunha crossing at the death to snatch what had looked an unlikely victory.

Portugal earlier overcame a spirited Papua New Guinean effort to win 26-19, while Scotland had to come from behind to beat Al Caravelli's USA side by the same scoreline.

IRB Sevens - 2006/07 - New Zealand - Day Two

25 1/4 final Bowl 13:00 Portugal 12 - 24 Cook Islands
26 1/4 final Bowl 13:22 Tonga 19 - 12 Papua New Guinea
27 1/4 final Bowl 13:44 Scotland 12 - 17 Argentina
28 1/4 final Bowl 14:06 Australia 33 - 14 USA
29 1/4 final Cup 14:33 Fiji 60 - 0 Canada
30 1/4 final Cup 14:55 New Zealand 14 - 7 England
31 1/4 final Cup 15:17 Samoa 26 - 21 Kenya
32 1/4 final Cup 15:39 South Africa 26 - 14 France
33 SF Shield 16:10 Portugal 26 - 19 Papua New Guinea
34 SF Shield 16:32 Scotland 26 - 19 USA
35 SF Bowl 16:54 Cook Islands 7 - 29 Tonga
36 SF Bowl 17:16 Argentina 26 - 21 Australia
37 SF Plate 17:38 Canada 7 - 29 England
38 SF Plate 18:00 Kenya 5 - 26 France
39 SF Cup 18:35 Fiji 31 - 0 New Zealand
40 SF Cup 19:00 Samoa 14 - 12 South Africa
41 Final Shield 19:30 Portugal 26 - 24 Scotland
42 Final Bowl 20:00 Tonga 5 - 12 Argentina
43 Final Plate 20:30 England 21 - 12 France
44 Final Cup 21:00 Fiji 14 - 17 Samoa