When NZ Rugby agreed to move the TECT National Sevens from Rotorua to Tauranga this weekend they wanted assurances the move would be successful.

It was also the first time the national event has been held in December rather than January, which was another leap into the unknown for administrators.

But after the two-day spectacular held at Tauranga Domain, there can be no concerns whatsoever.

The outstanding playing and team facilities, the ability for spectators to be able to watch both fields, outstanding food and kids' playing areas, and superb organisation from the Bay of Plenty union were all top class.

Defending champions Manawatu defeated Waikato 12-7 in a repeat of January's final to win the coveted women's Cup competition, while Tasman are the new men's champions after defeating Counties Manukau 12-7 in the men's Cup final.

Bay of Plenty women's team under the new coaching group headed by Rodney Gibbs made it all the way to the Cup semi-finals, where their journey came to an abrupt halt at the hands of Manawatu.

Manawatu's superstars Sarah Goss, Crystal Mayes and particularly Selica Winiata were just too good.

Bay coach Rodney Gibbs was gracious in his praise of the dynamic Manawatu side but losing 31-5 did not do justice to his team's excellence over the weekend.

'You have to give credit where credit is due. They were a bit better on the day. They are pretty experienced and a well-drilled team,” says Rodney.

'Overall it has been brilliant for the union. It has been great for our girls and some younger ones have put their hands up and the older ones have helped them along the way.

'We have had a great campaign. Things have ticked along nicely and we have had a good environment. The players have enjoyed it and feedback has been pretty positive. We can't ask for too much more than that.”

Bay of Plenty lost 14-5 to Auckland in the play-off for third and fourth place.

While results did not go their way, Bay of Plenty men's coach Sean Horan took plenty of positives out of the gruelling weekend.

'The inexperience in the side is like life really. You have to go through this and we were a little bit tight and stressed and worrying about things. I think they just forgot to go out there and play,” he says.

'Today we were a lot more decisive in our decision making, in our ball carrying and in our work rate. We did have a lack of leadership but you have to gain experience to become a leader.

'But they reviewed really well, they never lost their spirit and are a good, young group. We have guys like Hunter Mokomoko and Will Ngatai who have great futures.”

Bay of Plenty were always up against the odds after the loss through injury of team co-captains Te Aihe Toma and Isaac Te Aute.

They struggled on day one with three losses but on day two showed far more resilience on defence and the confidence to show their mettle on attack.

They defeated Northland 41-0 and looked to have set a major upset when they led Auckland 21-5 at halftime in the Bowl semi-final.

But a lack of composure and too many errors saw the Aucklanders score 19 unanswered points in the second half to win 24-21.

TECT National Sevens results

Men's Cup Final:

Counties Manukau 7 v Tasman 12

Men's Cup Semi Finals:

Counties Manukau 12 v Wellington 10

Tasman 33 v North Harbour 7

Men's Cup Quarter Finals:

Counties Manukau 19 v Southland 10

Hawke's Bay 0 v Wellington 33

Tasman 24 v Taranaki 19

Waikato 0 v North Harbour 17

Men's Plate Final:

Hawke's Bay 5 v Taranaki 19

Men's Plate Semi Finals:

Southland 7 v Hawke's Bay 19

Taranaki 22 v Waikato 21

Men's Bowl Final:

4:40pm: Otago v Auckland

Men's Bowl Semi-Final:

Otago 12 v Canterbury 7

Bay of Plenty 21 v Auckland 24

Men's Bowl Quarter Finals:

Manawatu 5 v Otago 29

Canterbury 21 v South Canterbury 14

Northland 0 v Bay of Plenty 39

Auckland 26 v Wairarapa Bush 12

Men's Shield Final:

Manawatu 14 v Northland 7

Men's Shield Semi Final:

Manawatu 21 v South Canterbury 19

Northland 35 v Wairarapa Bush 12

Women's Cup Final:

Waikato 7 v Manawatu 12

Women's Cup Semi-Finals:

Auckland 12 v Waikato 19

Manawatu 31 v Bay of Plenty 5

Women's Cup Quarter Finals:

Auckland 17 v Canterbury 5

Wellington 7 v Waikato 26

Bay of Plenty 19 v Otago 12

Manawatu 21 v Counties Manukau 0

Women's Bowl Final:

Tasman 24 v North Harbour 5

Women's Bowl Semi-Final:

Tasman 26 v Hawke's Bay 17

Taranaki 14 v North Harbour 22

Women's Plate Final:

Canterbury 24 v Counties Manukau 19

Women's Plate Semi-Finals:

Canterbury 24 v Wellington 14

Counties Manukau 19 v Otago 10

Women's 11th and 12th Play-off:

Hawke's Bay 17 v Taranaki 14

Women's 7th and 8th Play-off:

Wellington 31 v Otago 17

Women's 3rd and 4th Play-off:

Auckland 14 v Bay of Plenty 5