Top seeds and runaway Series leaders New Zealand marched into the Cup quarter finals at the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, rarely troubled on day two in scoring 85 points against Tunisia and the USA and conceding just one try.
The official IRB website reports that the kiwis have now won 39 consecutive matches and will be favourites on day two to land a title which has eluded them since 2001.
They are joined in the last eight by the other pool winners Fiji, England, Australia, Kenya and South Africa plus Wales and Samoa, who qualified as the two best second-placed teams on points difference.
Earlier China provided the tournament with its first major upset early on day two, coming from behind to beat the Scots 19-12. Hong Kong might have made it two upsets for Chinese teams later on, but France fought back for a 21-21 draw to deny the hosts their first win.
Cup quarter final line-up:
New Zealand v Wales
Kenya v Fiji
South Africa v Australia
Samoa v England
Pool A
New Zealand’s forward power was again the driving force behind their continued dominance as they followed their 50-5 win on the opening day against Waisale Serevi’s Chinese Taipei with a comfortable victory over Tunisia 38-0, and the USA 47-7, in which Zar Lawrence and newcomer Nafi Tuitavake both scored two tries.
The USA finished a creditable second in the pool after battling wins over Tunisia and Chinese Taipei but their points difference was not strong enough to secure them a prized place in the Cup quarter finals as one of the two best runners-up. Tunisia romped past the Taiwanese in the remaining fixture.
Pool B
England responded to the Hong Kong crowd’s considerable support by beating defending champions Samoa to top the pool. Samoa do, however, still reach the last eight where the two sides will face off again.
Samoa had looked odds-on to take the decider following their wins over Sri Lanka and Canada, Alafoti Fa’osiliva again impressing for the islanders, but England’s young side rose to the challenge and Ben Gollings’ crucial conversion of Simon Hunt’s try gave them the 7-5 win. Earlier Phil Mack inspired Canada to a crushing defeat of Sri Lanka.
Pool C
Renfred Dazel sprinted clear on the final whistle to dash Argentinian hopes of reaching the Cup quarter finals. The Pumas had outplayed the Boks for much of the match and led until Dazel’s quick thinking clinched top spot, in doing so promoting Wales in the pecking order of second-placed sides.
The world’s leading Sevens marksman Santiago Gomez Cora was earlier back on the score sheet in the Pumas’ 19-5 win against Japan, while Russia finished third in the group after seeing off Japan.
Pool D
Tries by William Ryder and Lepani Nabuliwaqa helped Fiji to a tight 15-0 victory over Wales to top Pool D. The Welsh defended valiantly to keep out the exciting Fijians and in restricting them to three tries also protected their own points difference enough to qualify for the Cup quarters.
Ryder was on sparkling form as Fiji earlier saw off Zimbabwe 42-14 to add to their 42-7 win against Korea on day one. Two tries by Lee Williams had helped the Welsh to victory over Korea, who were also beaten by Zimbabwe.
Pool E
Two tries by captain Humphrey Kayange and a dramatically improved defensive effort inspired Kenya to a fine victory against Scotland, the Africans topping their pool for the first time since the 2003 Hong Kong tournament.
Earlier, China produced the shock of the day by also beating Scotland, captain Zhang ‘Jonny’ Zhiqiang ghosting over for the winner. The Chinese were unable, though, to follow on with victory over Portugal, Aderito Esteves and Pedro Leal each crossing for two tries in a 40-10 victory.
Pool F
Caleb Brown’s last ditch try clinched victory for Australia against Tonga, 17-15, and top spot in the pool after earlier wins against Hong Kong and France.
Tonga slipped up against France on day one but were clinical in seeing off the hosts 56-5 in the opening match of day two to give themselves a chance before Australia dampened their spirits.
For the hosts baby-faced assassin Keith Robertson was in inspired form as Hong Kong drew 21-21 with France, condemning them to life outside the Cup competition.
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This mornings results so far.
New Zealand 26 – 7 Wales 1/4 final Cup
——————————————–
Canada 24 – 21 USA 1/4 final Plate
France 12 – 7 Tunisia 1/4 final Plate
Tonga 26 – 17 Portugal 1/4 final Plate
Argentina 7 – 5 Scotland 1/4 final Plate
———————————————-
Sri Lanka 10 – 35 Russia 1/4 final Bowl
China 5 – 12 Korea 1/4 final Bowl
Japan 14 – 19 Hong Kong 1/4 final Bowl
Zimbabwe 26 – 7 Chinese Taipei 1/4 final Bowl
SA v Aus should start now
time on, aus almost score but sa tackle out just before they reach the line
SA try !!!!
Neil Powell – captain
and the kick …. is good
7-0 SA
ref blows aus for holding on in the tackle, we are in their half and have possession
ref talking to both team captains,
aus get the kick out, we’re still in their half ……
Pity the TV doesn’t show time during a 7’s match.
With each half only being 7minutes you would think thime was even MORE important.
Go Bokke!!!!!!!!!
try # 2 SA
frankie horne
and the kick …..is good
14-0 SA
should be alomst the half if my timestamp is anything to go by
aus almost reah our red zone but the ball is intercepted, we dash it up the field again but are called back for a forward pass
Woulda thought Aus would offer more resistance. 😯
aus have the ball, hooter has gone but ref finishing the play, could score here ……
they score, james o’connor
14-5 SA
and the kick …is good
HALF TIME
14-7 SA
C’mon Bokke.
time on
mackay reciving some medical attention after a tackle, time off
time back on, scrum just inside our 22
we manage to get the ball free and kick it somehow ….out at our 5m
aus try in the far corner
peter owens
and the kick ……is good
scores even, 3 minutes into the second half
😡
C’mon Bokke!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 👿
ref wants to confer, decided the try was not scored, ball was chipped forward and just just touched when it touched the deadball line
next one, score a real try 😀
and the kick….is not good
19-14 SA
last minute of the game
for who was that?
30 seconds on the clock …..
sorry didn’t see 😕
Okay forget about my last comment. 😉
Go Bokke!!!!!!!
hooter goes, we kick into touch
we have won the quarter final
19-14 ❗ ❗ ❗ 😀
samoa – england next …..
WhooooooHoooooooo
Thanks.
Gotta work for a bit will be back later.
don’t worrie about their scores 😉
cool, will turn the sound up but think they’ll score too quickly for me to update from another room hehehe
5-0 england
6 minutes
samoa score just before half time
makaele pesamino ❓
5-5
hotter goes, samoa kick and ……
7-5 Samoa
😆
South Africa 19 – 14 Australia 1/4 final Cup
Kenya 0 – 10 Fiji 1/4 final Cup
second half started, england responds with a try
12-7 England
ref blows for knock on (samoa) and then forward pass, england scrum
samoa try !
alatasi tupo
sheesh supersport could be a bit kinda and show the names for a few seconds longer, save me butchering them 😆
miss kick 😥
12-12
2.5 minutes to play …..
samoa try … ref confers first
😆
try by faosaliva
the kick is good….
samoa lead
17-12
1 minute to go
40 seconds remaining, england have the ball…..
😯
England could lose in the 1/4’s 😯 (burn one of my jerseys please)
hooter goes, ref resets the scrum …..
samoa get the ball and kick it out
FINAL score 17-12 Samoa
KSA
what just 1/4 😆 😆 😆
England could lose in the 1/4’s
England did lose in the 1/4’s 😆
ok seriously back to work now 😳
see ya later.
Semifinal matches in the Cup. (SA Times)
10:16 — NZ – Fiji — SF Cup
10:38 — SA – Samoa — SF Cup
you gonna be breaking early for lunch then 😉
hehehe
zim playing hong kong ….zim leads 7-0
FULL TIME
Zim 35 – 7 Hong Kong
😯 wouldn’t have thought that.
korea – russia ….
14-0 Russia
hooter goes, russia kicks out and they lead into the half
14-0
russia 19 – 5 korea
not much time left ….
final score ……
russia wins
19-5
russia will face zim in the bowl final
argentina 19 – 12 tonga
sorry didn’t say this was full time score 😳
france 10 – canada 0
france 17 – 0 canada
break in transmission 👿
france 36 – 0 canada
😯 sheesh a lot can happen in a short time 😆
Good morning Kette.
final score
36 – 5 France
Obviously the French asked their Canadian cousins to play possum. 🙄
Hey Nessa.
If you have a TV in the bedroom you can switch on and watch the Boks take on Samoa in a few minutes time. 😉
Hey KSA – TV is on. Have been watching. Would love to go and watch a sevens tournament. It looks like fun.
hey nessa, how you doing ?
Have been sitting in the lounge for hours already – babysitting both grandchildren and they have been up since the crack of dawn! No sleeping in for me this Sunday.
you’ll have to come out to the dubai sevens in december, sooooo much fun 😀
Kette – will have to make a plan to do that.
11:25 — Zimbabwe – Russia — Final Bowl
11:52 — Argentina – France — Final Plate
(Times are SA times)
Don’t come THIS December.
It will be the first at the new venue so will have teething problems.
In March/April it is the 7’s RWC in Dubai then it should be great. Also the first 7’s RWC event for women.
No sleeping in??? 😆 We KNOW how you feel. 😉
HALF TIME
NZ 17 – 0 Fiji
What’s the score in the Semi?
😳 thanks 😳
KSA – always look at the crowds at the 7’s tournaments and they look so festive.
I try and take the load off my son by having them around on a Saturday night for a sleepover. It gives them one morning a week to sleep in. Also gives me some time to sleep in.
I meant also gives me some time to spend time with the little ones. 😳
New Zealand return to the second half and score ….
22 – 0 NZ
Nessa.
30.03.08 10:27:40 – Nessa Edit
🙂
time on…. samoa – south africa
Go Bokke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
opening try samoa
tupou
was 22-0 the final score in the other Semi?
kick is good
7 – 0 Samoa
🙁
yup … i think 😳
as we hit halftime, mentz try for SA
HALF TIME
7 – 7
score here? still 7-0?
Oh okay thanks.
GO BOKKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WAKEY WAKEY, RISE AND SHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just confirmed
New Zealand 34 – 0 Fiji — SF Cup
back for the second half …. no score yet 😳
samoa DG …..10-7 Samoa
👿
SA respond with a try 😎
🙂
SA take the lead
12 – 10 SA
hooter goes, SA kicks the ball out
FULLTIME
12-10 SA
Final …..NZ – SA
WHOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bokke!!!!!!!!!
See ya at the final.
Argentina 14 – 17 France — Final Plate
———————-
Zimbabwe 14 – 19 Russia — Final Bowl
sheesh KSA you jinxed us ….
14-7 NZ
In the 2nd half?
hooter goes but NZ are still running the ball….try awarded
raikabula scores for NZ
and the kick is good
HALF TIME
21-7 NZ
😯
back on the field….time on
ref talking to the captains, not happy with some of the aggression evident between the two teams 😳
someone tackle the flipping NZ 1
NZ try – lawence
👿
the kick is close but ……
26-7 NZ
ball meters from the tryline, nz rolls too far and the ball is given over to SA who kick back up the field
If (when?) NZ win this they will be the team with the most consecutive tournament wins ever.
This will be #7
knock on, green scrum, not much time left
SA being forced to do more defending than anything else
nz looking way too good
almost almost almost, lost forward 😥
scrum on the nz 5m
1 minute to go …..
SA have not given up but there is no way they can win this now 😥
try SA
juries
😥 😥
FINAL SCORE
26-12 NZ
first HK 7’s win since 2001 for NZ
Well Done NZ
I will not be too surprised with a clean sweep this season.
45,000 crowd in attendance
jeremy clarkson standing behind the players receiving their mugs – shook hands with a few of our boys
oops my mistake just a look alike, wondered what he had to do with rugby hehehehe
fireworks are awesome, more people taking photos of that than the players hehehehe
Thanks for the updates.
🙁 we lost.