IRB 7s: Samoa win in London
Sun, 25 May 2008 12:18
Samoa beat Fiji 19-14 in a bruising Final at Twickenham, to win the London leg of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series on Sunday.
It was a game of much controversy, which will most likely be remembered more for the part played by match officials than for the performance of the two teams.
Nasoni Roko's late try to equalise for Fiji was ruled out by referee David Keane, after the touch judge intervened to point out what he felt was a late tackle in the build up to the try.
But the result stands and Samoa were back on the winners' podium ... for the first time in the 2007/08 series.
* While New Zealand missed out on the Cup semifinals, beaten by Tom Biggs' late try for hosts England, the Kiwis did clinch their eight IRB Sevens World Series title with one event to spare.
Having won the first five events of the season - Dubai, George, Wellington, San Diego and Hong Kong, as well as finishing runners-up in Adelaide - New Zealand entered this tournament in London hot favourites to tie up the Series win.
While they lost their London title, Nigel Hunt's late winner in the Plate Final against South Africa proved a fitting way to celebrate their continued dominance of the Series crown.
Australia beat Wales 19-12 to win the Bowl Final, while Spain won a famous 10-7 victory against the fifth-ranked Sevens side in the world, Kenya, to win the Shield competition at Twickenham.
New Zealand's victory in the Plate competition sees them take their series points tally to an unassailable 134, while South Africa six points as Plate runners-up leaves them at 98, with Fiji holding on to third place on the series standings (with 90 points) ahead of fourth-placed Samoa (88 points).
We take a look at all the Day Two action!
Bowl quarterfinals:
Australia faced France and Wales will played Canada in the semifinals of the Bowl at Twickenham.
Kenya contested a Shield semifinal against after a disappointing overall performance in London.
The African side were the fifth-ranked team in the world entering the tournament, but four losses meant they faced Moldova. In the other half of the draw Spain and Russia showcased Europe's growing ability in Sevens.
Results:
Match 25: Wales 26 - Spain 0
Match 26: Russia 12 - Canada 17
Match 27: Australia 17 - Kenya 0
Match 28: France 24 - Moldova 7
Cup quarterfinals:
New Zealand needed only to make the last four in the Cup here to guarantee the defence of their Series crown but, with injuries ruling out Edwin Cocker and Tafai Ioasa, a reinvigorated England proved too stern a test.
With the scores level at 12-12 outstanding England wing Tom Biggs scored a try at the death to earn only a second semi of the season for the English side.
England faced Samoa after they overcame brave Portugal 17-7 in the second Cup quarterfinal.
Scotland looked set to make their first ever Cup semifinal, leading Fiji by 10 points with a few minutes to go, but tries by captain Marika Vunibaka and then the Rabonaqica try at the death stole the match and broke Scottish hearts.
The Pumas then silenced the large contingent of Springbok supporters in the crowd, defending as if their lives depended on it and taking their chances well, Amorosino and del Busto crossing in the first half to build a 12-0 lead which they clung onto throughout the second period.
Results:
Match 29: New Zealand 12 - England 17
Match 30: Samoa 17 - Portugal 7
Match 31: Fiji 19 - Scotland 17
Match 32: South Africa 0 - Argentina 12
Shield semifinals:
Spain faced Kenya in the Final of the Shield competition after the sides won respective victories over Russia and Moldova.
Results:
Match 33: Spain 12 - Russia 7
Match 34: Kenya 24 - Moldova 5
Bowl semifinals:
Australia beat France 21-7 to win through to the Final of the Bowl section against Wales, after they beat Canada 31-0 in the other semi.
Results:
Match 35: Wales 31 - Canada 0
Match 36: Australia 21 - France 7
Plate semifinals:
South Africa faced New Zealand in the Plate competition Final, after South Africa beat Scotland 19-12 and New Zealand beating Portugal 28-14.
Results:
Match 37: New Zealand 28 - Portugal 14
Match 38: Scotland 12 - South Africa 19
Cup semifinals:
Fiji advanced by beating Argintinia 21-17 with an injury time try, while Samoa advanced by beating hosts England 14-12 in the other semifinal.
Results:
Match 39: England 12 - Samoa 14
Match 40: Fiji 21 - Argentina 17
Shield Final:
Spain won a famous 10-7 victory against the fifth-ranked Sevens side in the world Kenya to win the Shield at Twickenham.
Ignacio Martin crossed for the Spanish to lead 5-0 at the break and Cesar Sempere doubled their lead after the break. Horace Otieno grabbed a late consolation for the African side, but could not prevent Spain claiming a first piece of IRB Sevens World Series silverware since 2004.
Result:
Match 41: Spain 10 - Kenya 7
Bowl Final:
Australia beat Wales 19-12 to win the Bowl competition and take two points in the IRB Sevens World Series.
The Australians led by two tries to one at the break, Peter Owens and Willy Bishop scoring either side of Aled Brew's effort, and in the second half Caleb Brown's converted stretched their lead to 19-7. Rhodri McAtee pulled one back for the Welsh with a couple of minutes to play but Australia held on.
Result:
Match 42: Wales 12 - Australia 19
Plate Final:
New Zealand exacted revenge on South Africa for their defeat in the Adelaide Cup F, winning the Final of the Plate competition 19-12 with a try at the death by Nigel Hunt.
Both sides responded well to the disappointment of being dumped out of the Cup at the start of the second day and the high calibre Final was as tight as the score suggests.
Result:
Match 43: New Zealand 19 - South Africa 12
Cup Final:
Samoa beat Fiji 19-14 in a bruising Final that will be best remembered for the questionable calls by match officials - with at least one 'high tackle' and another 'late charge' having an influence on the outcome of the match.
Lolo Lui scored a hat-trick of tries as Samoa led 19-7 at the break and although Fiji fought back in the second half it proved too little too late.
Nasoni Roko's late try to equalise for Fiji was ruled out by referee David Keane, after the touch judge intervened to point out what he felt was a late tackle in the build up to the try.
This and an earlier call for a supposed high hit certainly influenced the flow and ult8imately the outcome of the match.
But both teams showed great sportsmanship and accepted the calls from the officials without making too much of a fuss ... at least not in public.
Result:
Match 44: Samoa 19 - Fiji 14
With thanks to the IRB
