By Alex Lowe, PA Sport

New Zealand captain Eric Rush led the All Blacks to their second consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal and at 37 still retains the hunger to play on - if his wife allows.

The All Blacks beat Fiji in a tense finals at the City of Manchester Stadium 33-15 to defend the title they won with Jonah Lomu and co in Kuala Lumpur four years ago.

The gold medal rounds off a barnstorming season for Gorden Tietjen's New Zealand side, who romped away with the IRB World Sevens Series title.

And after Sunday's glory in from of 38,000 people, Rush is contemplating another year on the circuit.

He said: "I've got to talk to my wife - seeing as I was away from home for 150 days this year. I've got to run it past her first and then talk it over with Tiejten.

"When you've got a gold medal hanging round your neck you get a bit emotional about these things but I'll have to sit down when all the dust has settled and make a rational decision.

"I'm feeling pretty good, I'm 37 but I still feel I'm doing my part out there."

Rush did not appear in the final after picking up a shoulder injury, but basked in the glory of the victory in what was a repeat of the 1998 final.

It was a win Rush believes was fully deserved, given the quality of the Fiji side. He continued: "I always got the impression they were waiting for the big game against us. They were doing just enough to get through.

"But this is the culmination of a lot of hard work. We tried to get out of the village as often as we could to refocus.

"We've trained for the last three months for this and we did it the hard way too. We've played most of the top sides here."

New Zealand's task was made easier by the dismissal of Saisi Fuli for a late tackle.

Fiji led through Waisale Serevi's penalty soon after the sending off but New Zealand found the faith and their extra man told.

And though Rush felt the dismissal was harsh, he feels the experience will have left Fuli in good stead.

He added: "It probably spoiled a good game but there was nothing malicious intended and hopefully he will learn from it."

Serevi, disappointed at picking up a second silver medal, agreed: "I thought only a yellow card was necessary. It was slippery and he didn't have any choice but to hit him.

"We are always disappointed to lose a final - we wanted to win a gold medal - but it was difficult to play with only six men."