New Zealand has won the opening round of the International Rugby Board's World Series Sevens in Dubai.

The defending champions beat Fiji 31-21 in the final early this morning (NZ time), making the most of a period when Fiji's Emosi Vucago was yellow-carded.

While Vucago was in the bin, New Zealand scored twice to race to a 26-0 lead and looked home before Fiji surged back to trail just 26-21 late in the game.

New Zealand, who led 21-0 the previous evening against France but then conceded 19 unanswered points in a narrow win, suddenly appeared
vulnerable.

But Fiji made a hash of the restart, and New Zealand recycled possession for Steven Yates to cross on the right and finally make the game safe.

NZ's early tries went to Zar Lawrence while Nigel Hunt added a third before Yates crossed to complete the 26-0 lead.

NZ advanced to the final with a 40-7 win over Argentina in the quarterfinals and then squeaked past the defending Dubai champions, South Africa, 12-7 in the semifinals.

New Zealand skipper DJ Forbes said Fiji's fight back had him worried.

"You can never write anyone off in sevens," he told news agency AFP.

"But we knuckled down and stuck to our guns. They were very hard to contain but we
showed a lot of character and dug deep."

And coach Tietjens said he was pleased with the way New Zealand responded
to the two yellow cards for their first win in Dubai since 2003.

"We used our heads to score quick tries after the sin binnings," he said.
"But in the second half we fell off tackles and almost paid the penalty."

Second day results:

Cup quarterfinals: New Zealand 40 Argentina 7, South Africa 17 Kenya 15, Samoa 19 England 26, Fiji 28 Scotland 5.

Cup semifinals: New Zealand 12 South Africa 7, England 21 Fiji 22.

Cup final: New Zealand 31 Fiji 21.

Plate semifinals: Argentina 17 Kenya 14, Samoa 28 Scotland 19.

Plate final: Argentina 15 Samoa 14.

Bowl quarterfinals: France 24 Zimbabwe 19, Canada 21 United States 12, Wales 17 Tunisia 12, Australia 36 Arabian Gulf 5.

Bowl semifinals: France 5 Canada 21, Wales 19 Australia 22.

Bowl final: Canada 0 Australia 31.

Shield semifinals: Zimbabwe 29 United States 17, Tunisia 36 Arabian Gulf 0.

Shield final: Zimbabwe 22 Tunisia 19.