Sherwin Stowers of News Zealand tries to escape the tackle from Carlin Isles of the USA in the third place final of the Sevens World Series rugby tournament in Dubai.
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“It is the first time they have ever beaten New Zealand”.
New Zealand still finished at the top of their pool – due to the USA’s 26-21 loss to France earlier in the day – to set up a quarterfinal matchup against Samoa at 8.22pm Saturday NZ Time.
New Zealand will face Samoa in the last eight after topping Pool C, with defending world champions Fiji to take on Australia.
After the Aussies parked in the Russian Federation half for an age they held their width for Amy Turner to score in the corner; then Nicole Beck followed with a try after supporting Ellia Green who was too strong and fast.
It certainly wasn’t the way coach Sean Horan will have planned to launch the new series, but it could be just the wake up call they needed heading into finals day.
Canada, second in the standings last season, looked shaky also going down to Fiji 10-24 in the opening game of Pool B; but like the Kiwis, they steadied and went through to the Cup quarter-finals [QFs] as second in their pool.
Perry Baker, a converted American football player with searing pace, went over for two tries in the 14-12 win, which clinched a quarter-final place against South Africa.
“We obviously have a lot of history with them and it’s always nip-and-tuck whenever we play them”, he said.
The second of four world series tournaments is in Sao Paulo in February. “A draw’s not enough, we need a win, ‘ and Madison’s conversion percentage has been down at 60 per cent”, Friday said.
In the United Kingdom, there will be live TV coverage of the Dubai Rugby Sevens 2015 on Sky Sports 3 from 4.50am to 9.25am, then 10.10am to 11.45am, and finally 2pm to 5pm.
The US went into the break with a 19-7 lead. “We’re looking forward to backing the team throughout the tournament, and more importantly we’re proud to be helping the Foundation in its work to raise awareness of MND”.
Canada’s rugby sevens women’s and men’s team came away with disappointing results at the season-opening event in Dubai.
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Their Cup semi-final against France was an improved performance, with the Aussies keeping their opponents scoreless on their way to the title decider.
