7s team loses out on gold

The Fiji sevens team failed to defend the Pacific Mini Games gold medal in the final this afternoon losing to Samoa 38-12.

Fiji did not have an answer to the Samoan onslaught in the first half as Samoa lead 26-0 at halftime.

Samoan winger Mikaele Pesamino scored two tries early in the second half to win the gold medal.

Fiji came back with two tries later in the game to Jerry Burotu and Orisi Sareki.

It was also the closing game to the Mini Games in the Cook Islands as athletes and officials said goodbye to hosts Cook Islands and now await the next one in 2013 in Wallis and Futuna.

The sporting festival has been marred by Wednesday's devastating tsunami in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

The flags of all countries and the Pacific Games flag are flying at half mast.

Fiji won the Mini Games with 32 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze with New Caledonia in second place with 21 gold, 20 silver and 21 bronze.