After a disappointing 2^nd day results at Sam Boyd Stadium where Samoa suffered two losses on Saturday against France and Scotland, the Polynesians rushed to a fast start in their Shield semifinal berth on Sunday, scoring five tries as they defeated Portugal, 29-14.  Samoa will play Canada in the Shield final later on Sunday, the last day of the IRB sevens series in Las Vegas. 

Samoa’s Samoa Toloa, one of the fastest wingers in the sevens series this year touched down twice while Tomasi Alosio added a try to lead Portugal at the half, 17-7. 

In the second half, Belgium Tuatagaloa and Phoenix Hunapo Nofoa scored a try each for the winning margin of 29-14.  Portugal scored the first try of the match and the last.  Both were converted.

France is in the final of the Bowl championship edging out Russia 15-14. It will battle Wales, which defeated Scotland 21-14 for the Bowl championship.

In the Cup semifinals, South Africa will play Australia while host country USA will tackle Fiji.

Other result from Saturday: Japan 26 Scotland 19, Australia 36, England 7, Wales 17 Canada 10, South Africa 29, USA 0, Scotland 17, Samoa 12, France 21 England 19, Wales 31, Portugal 19, Russia 19, Canada 10, United States, 26, Kenya 14, Fiji 43, Japan 7, South Africa 14, New Zealand 7, Australia 26, Argentina 12.