“We have three tough pool games in this tournament”, said coach Gordon Tietjens. As Fiji cantered past Australia 34-5 in one semifinal, New Zealand had to scrap for 10 minutes of extra time before a late Regan Ware try got them home 12-7 against South Africa.
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“To be honest, it’s going to be exciting to get into a totally brand new environment, something that’s never been done on the world series or within sevens, and we’ll see where we go with it”.
The South Africans seemed to play with greater freedom than in the semi-final against the Kiwis, where they made numerous unforced errors and battled to hold on to the ball in the slippery Hong Kong conditions.
In a grinding game, two Australian tries proved to be enough to push them into the final four, but it was some Herculean defence that kept the Aussies in front.
With seconds to go, Semi Kunatani exposed the outmanned defence to score between the posts, giving Osea Kolinisau the comfortable match-winning conversion. South Africa could puncture the defense only once more, and lost a last-chance lineout throw-in.
A deightful offload from Amenoni Nasilasila sent Semi Kunatani to the final try of the cup final.
France crossed three times through Julien Candelon, Six Nations star Viri Vakatawa and Jonathan Laugel before New Zealand woke up and hit back with a relieving try to Tim Mikkelson on half-time, with Kurt Baker and match-winner Mikkelson crossing in the second period. Dan Norton was at his electric best, and the experienced heads of Tom Mitchell and James Rodwell really stepped-up for Simon Amor’s side.
South Africa were over again quickly with Siviwe Soyizwapi sprinting down the sideline to score their second try and lead 14-0 after just five minutes.
“Our goal like all the other teams is the Olympics at the end”.
Japan guaranteed their place in the 2016 to 2017 World Rugby Sevens Series as they edged hosts Hong Kong 24-14 in the qualifying clash and they will replace the bottom ranked of the core teams, now Portugal, in the competition after the final event in London.
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After a dusty opening two games in Hong Kong, the All Blacks Sevens have reasserted themselves with a patient, assured 28-10 victory over Samoa to top Pool A and progress to the playoffs.
