IRB 7s: Kiwis finish on a high
Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:52
New Zealand held on in the face of a spirited England fightback to defend their title at the Edinburgh leg of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series, with a 24-14 win at Murrayfield on Sunday.
New Zealand, having already clinched the series, were chasing their sixth tournament win in the current series - having lost out to South Africa and Samoa in the last two events.
However, they redeemed themselves to confirm their dominance of the 2007/08 series - taking their total of series points on the standings to 154.
South Africa, recovered from the disappointment of a second consecutive Cup quarterfinal loss, took the Plate title with a 14-5 win over hosts Scotland - collecting eight points to finish second in the Series on 106.
Samoa, who lost 0-14 to eventual winners New Zealand in the Cup semifinal, moved into third place on the final IRB standings with 100 points, while Fiji's loss to Scotland in the Plate semifinal saw them finish fourth on 94 points.
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Bowl quarterfinals:
Argentina captain Santiago Gomez Cora scored his 197th all-time try in a convincing win against Russia, with the Pumas scoring six tries to none - while Kenya's disappointing form saw Canada edge them in the top half of the Bowl quarterfinals.
Spain produced one of their finest performances on the circuit to smash newcomers Moldova in a one-sided affair - although the later could at least claim to have retained their record of a score in every game. Australia have too much pace and power for the brave team from Portugal.
Results
Match 25: Russia 0 v Argentina 38
Match 26: Kenya 10 - Canada 19
Match 27: Spain 33 - Moldova 7
Match 28: Australia 19 - Portugal 5
Cup quarterfinals:
Samoa set up a showdown with New Zealand, who produced a clinical and professional display to outclass Scotland 36-14, David Smith again impressive and Tomasi Cama scoring two of the six tries in their quarterfinal demolition of the hosts.
In the other half of the draw Wales beat France, James Merriman's second half try sealing the win and will play England, who overcame a tired looking South Africa side 10-0, Jack Adams and Kevin Barrett crossing for two unanswered tries.
Results
Match 29: New Zealand 36 - Scotland 14
Match 30: Fiji 10 - Samoa 17
Match 31: Wales 19 - France 10
Match 32: South Africa 0 - England 10
Shield semifinals:
Russia faced Portugal after beating Kenya 7-0 and Portugal comfortably beat Moldova 36-0.
Results
Match 33: Russia 7 - Kenya 0
Match 34: Moldova 0 - Portugal 36
Bowl semifinals:
The Pumas then had no answer to a rugged Canada, who beat them with Phil Mack's sudden death extra time golden try to make the Bowl Final against Australia.
The Australians, after accounting for Portugal in the quarterfinal, beat their Iberian neighbours Spain to make the Final - captain Shawn MacKay and Willie Bishop outstanding for Bill Millard's side.
Results
Match 35: Argentina 7 - Canada 12
Match 36: Spain 0 - Australia 24
Plate semifinals:
Scotland won their first ever victory against Fiji - in the ninth minute of sudden death extra time - to deservedly make it through to the final of the Plate.
For the second week running the Scots failed to close a game out against the Fijians in what proved to be the game of the tournament. With the Scots Leading 14-7 in the dying seconds of their Plate semi final, Fiji captain Marika Vunibaka found space in midfield and sprinted clear of the despairing Scotland defence to level at 14-14.
In sudden death extra time both sides had good chances to clinch victory, Jim Thompson making a superb tackle on the outstanding Setefano Cakau and Iliavi Satala denying Mike Adamson before Scotland worked space out wide to put in Ben Addison for the decisive score and send the Murrayfield crowd into mass hysteria.
Scotland then faced the Boks in the Final, after Paul Treu's men outclassed France 17-0.
Results
Match 37: Scotland 19 - Fiji 14
Match 38: France 0 - South Africa 17
Cup semifinals:
England won an edgy match against Six Nations rivals Wales 7-0, the Sevens game's all time leading point scorer Ben Gollings breaking away to score the only try of the match - leaving England to play New Zealand, who beat Samoa 14-0, after captain Forbes scored the only two tries of the game.
Results
Match 39: New Zealand 14 - Samoa 0
Match 40: Wales 0 - England 7
Shield Final:
Tomaz Morais' hardworking Portuguese side finished the Scotland event and the season on a high, beating Claude Saurel's Russians 10-5 at he death after Sebastiao da Cunha slipped through some tired Russian tackling to score the winner.
Both sides now turn their attention to reaching the European qualifying final in Germany and then booking their places at next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
Result
Match 41: Russia 5 - Portugal 10
Bowl Final:
Despite a last-ditch effort and two tries it was too little, too late for Canada as a clearly dominant Australian team took the the Bowl Final 24-12 in Bill Millard's final event as Aussie coach.
The Aussies led 19-0 at half time through tries by Peter Owens (two) and Tim Walsh, before Afusipa Taumoepeau sprinted fully 60 metres to put the result beyond doubt in the second half. Neil Meechan scored two late consolation tries for the Canadians.
Result
Match 42: Canada 12 - Australia 24
Plate Final:
A courageous victory for the Springboks, who overcame not only the hostile local crowd and dismal conditions, but also a brave Scotish team to win 14-5.
The Boks recovered from the disappointment of a second consecutive Cup quarterfinal loss to take the Plate title and eight points to finish second in the 2007/08 Series.
Tries by Fabian Juries and Frankie Horne put Paul Treu's side 14-0 ahead and, although Andrew Turnbull pulled one back in the second half, Scotland were unable to take their chances against a resolute South African defence.
Result:
Match 43: Scotland 5 - South Africa 14
Cup Final:
In a supremely physical match the Kiwis went out to a commanding 19-0 lead through Solomon King, David Smith and Chad Tuoro - but England hit back just before the break through giant wing Uche Oduoza to trail 7-19 and enjoyed much of the possession in the second half.
Ollie Phillips slipped a tackle to bring the score back to 14-19, but the Kiwis' renowned fitness, conditioning and peerless defence saw them home, captain DJ Forbes an inspiration up front and the likes of Kendrick Lynn and David Smith proving that coach Gordon Tietjens has lost none of his knack for unearthing new talent.
With the clock winding down, Nigel Hunt put the game beyond doubt for New Zealand, who have now won eight of the nine IRB Sevens World Series titles under coach Gordon Tietjens.
Result:
Match 44: New
Zealand 24 - England 14
With thanks to the IRB
