NZ took top spot in pool A on for-and-against to be drawn against the U.S. in the Cup quarter-finals, while Australia arguably received some fortune by meeting an injury-hit England.
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The New Zealand men’s rugby sevens team have narrowly won the final of the Sydney leg of the World Series, beating Australia 27-24.
That period of dominance from the home side put New Zealand on the brink of defeat at half-time but they launched a spirited comeback, with Augustine Pulu and Ardie Savea both crossing over in the second half as their side topped the group at the expense of their Oceanian rivals.
Television replays showed that New Zealand had one extra player on the field in the final stages of their Pool A match against Australia on Saturday. “We are through, but come tomorrow it means nothing”. An error in the New Zealand half lead to a try from close range by Lewis Holland before veteran James Stannard scored on the stroke of halftime to stretch the lead to 17-5.
“We knew it would be a massive challenge and it was”, he said.
England were the only other team to clinch three victories, though they had to fight hard for their narrow 17-14 triumph against the United States in their third and final Pool D contest.
In a blistering start by New Zealand at a packed Allianz Stadium, Rieko Ioane had too much pace for the Australian defence to score an early try for the All Blacks Sevens.
“We lost two boys in our first two games and that showed a lot of character”, Mitchell said.
“I thought what was good was that they were smart and took that physical edge away from South Africa”, said coach Andy Friend.
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But with a finals match-up on Sunday night, the battle was back on, and more than World Rugby Sevens Series points was at stake. Phil Mack scored a late Canadian try.
