|
||||
| NZ WIns Again in SA |
| International - HSBC Sevens World Series | ||
|
The tournament's top try scorer Kurt Baker bagged a hat-trick in the final as Gordon Tietjens's men rose to the occasion in stunning fashion to win their first Cup title of the season, in doing so extending their lead at the top of the HSBC Sevens World Series to 14 points from second-placed France. The defending champions came from behind to beat hosts South Africa 12-5 in the semi finals and book their place in the third Cup final of the season. France needed almost all of sudden death extra time to see off the Pumas, Terry Bouhraoua stepping up to seal victory with a long range penalty drop goal and end a match which sapped their energy levels ahead of the final. Despite going down to the Kiwis, South Africa ended their campaign on a high by beating Argentina 35-0 to finish third, new star Cheslin Kolbe scoring an impressive hat-trick. As a result of their Cup victory, New Zealand lie top with 60 points ahead of France (46), Gold Coast champions Fiji (44), South Africa (41) and Dubai champions, Samoa (39). Two successive Plates for Wales Wales reached that by beating the USA 26-19, while Gold Coast Sevens champions Fiji had beaten Portugal 26-12 with Joji Raqamate their star player. Australia beat Dubai champions Samoa to Bowl In the semi finals a dramatic last-minute penalty drop goal for the islanders secured a 15-12 victory against England, while Will Miller scored at the death in Australia's 24-21 over Kenya. Earlier the Zimbabweans, in Port Elizabeth as the African regional qualifier, beat Scotland 21-14. Spain earned an emphatic 29-12 win over injury-hit Canada. |




























