Three's a charm for Samoa. After losing two finals in this season's IRB Sevens World Series, Samoa enjoyed top honors at the USA 7s, beating New Zealand 33-12.
And they didn't just down the ever-formidable All Blacks - they crushed them. Samoa made New Zealand pay for every mistake they made, and they made plenty.
When New Zealand tried to float a lazy pass to a teammate set wide, Mikaele Pessamino picked it off - twice - and ran them in for uncontested tries. When Tomasi Cama didn't respect the defense in front of him, Samoa slapped the ball out of his hands, scooped it up and ran in an untouched try attributed to Reupena Levasa.
Alafoti Fa'osiliva was in a teacher mood as well, punishing New Zealand's loose lineout defense and outracing pursuers to the try zone. He posted the first Samoan try in the third minute as well, when the All Blacks left him unguarded on the wing.
"We're very happy with the win," Uale Mai said. "We missed an opportunity last weekend in Wellington, but we've been working hard, and the boys were confident coming into this match."
Mai referenced the 19-14 loss to Fiji in New Zealand. And even though the All Blacks took advantage of a retreating Samoan defense at times - resulting in tries from Tim Mikkelson and Kurt Baker - they were sure not to let another opportunity to win slip through their fingers.
And the Samoan crowd gave them a hero's welcome once that final whistle blew, flooding the field to congratulate the winners. "It was great to have that support on the field," Mai added. "They were there in Wellington, too. They're everywhere."
The points put Samoa in second place with 70 points, while New Zealand is still out in front with 84. Samoan fans, still picking astroturf out of their sandals, hope to rush the pitch in Adelaide, where Samoa will be the team to beat.
To get to the final Samoa beat Wales 17-10 in the quarterfinals and then edged Australia 14-12 in the semis. Meanwhile New Zealand just got by South Africa 12-5, and then dashed Kenya's hopes 21-7.
Samoa 33
Tries: Fa'osiliva (2), Pesamino (2), Levasa
Conversion: Lui (4)
New Zealand 12
Tries: Baker, Mikkelson
Conversions: Cama