Sport | Rugby
New Zealand Sevens win first two legs by beating Fiji in South Africa
Follow up on Dubai title with a 21-12 score in fast-moving and tough final
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:00 December 14, 2009
- Image Credit: Supplied
- An ecstatic New Zealand Sevens team after winning their second successive IRB Sevens World Series event on Saturday.
Dubai: New Zealand team won both the first two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series when they followed up on their Dubai title last week with a 21-12 win over Fiji in the final of the second event at George in South Africa.
Holders South Africa were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
In a fast-moving and tough final, Osea Kolinisau's great stepping try from 40 metres out brought Fiji back into the game when he scored under the posts (14-7) after Ben Sounes' converted try had provided the Kiwis with a 7-0 halftime lead.
New Zealand captain DJ Forbes, popping up on the wing as he so often does, rounded off a good line move after an excellent build-up for New Zealand's second try.
Save Tokula then scored after sustained pressure and patience by the Kiwis, and at 21-7 Fiji were in trouble.
They tried and ran as hard as they could, but it was not enough despite a late try by William Ryder.
Fiji's Pio Tuwai was awarded the title of Player of the Tournament.
Ahead of game
In South Africa's Plate final against England, Dan Norton put England ahead early on when he hit a gap from a lineout. It was this facet again three minutes later when England won a Bok throw-in in their own half and Christian Wade's speed with the overlap was good enough to put them 14-0 ahead.
Results: Final
New Zealand 21
Fiji 12
Semifinals
New Zealand 17
Kenya 14
Fiji 19
Argentina 14
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