With an opportunistic style of play that forced turnovers in contact, and simply looked for powerful runners on the outside, New Zealand were unstoppable.

In the final they faced South Africa, who had overcome a tough pool play loss to England to make the final.

NZ batter their way in rather than going around. Edwin Cocker is the right man at the right time, as South Africa tries to tie them up all the way in.

Frankie Horne is sin-binned for a dangerous tackle and immediately New Zealand punish them further, with Victor Vito racing around the corner. Moments later DJ Forbes goes down the weak side after a turnover in the ruck.

New Zealand leads 17-0.

Right on the stroke of halftime South Africa replies. Hard running, and quick passing gets the ball wide and Mzwandile Stick then snags a rolling ball and scores. His conversion makes it 17-7.

South Africa scores a brilliant try, with Vuyo Zangqa taking a nifty backhand pass and going down the sidelines. Zangqa grubbers ahead into the corner and wins the race to score a well-taken try to make it 17-12.

Off the restart New Zealand retains the ball and probes for openings. Zar Lawrence gets free on the outside to score. 22-12.

South Africa had two big chances to close the gap, but a turnover in the ruck allowed DJ Forbes to pounce on the ball and at the death, score. 27-12.

The most dramatic game of the finals was the Plate Final, where Argentina and Fiji traded thrusts throughout the evening. Taniela Dan Rawaqa’s try at the end of time, and Emosi Vucago’s conversion made it 21-21 with time up. In the extra time it took the full five minutes to find a winner, and it was Fiji that did it, sending Vucago in at the corner to the unbridled delight of the Fiji fans.