MOSCOW - New Zealand knocked defending champions Wales out of the Rugby World Cup Sevens before accounting for arch-rivals Fiji 17-0 in a rain-interrup- ted semifinal.
Their opponents in the final were England, who squeaked home to a 12-5 win over Kenya in the other semifinal on a sodden Luzhniki Stadium pitch.
Gordon Tietjens's All Blacks team has dominated the IRB World Series Sevens, winning 11 of the 14 titles on offer, but last won the World Cup in 2001.
They put in a clinical performance against the Welsh, unlikely outsiders who clinched victory in Dubai four years ago against odds of 80/1.
Up-and-coming Gillies Kaka scored a brace of tries, playmaker Tomasi Cama and Bryce Heem also crossing in a comprehensive 26-10 win.
Fiji produced a display of extremely aggressive defence to batter South Africa into a 12-10 defeat.
The Blitzbokke had not conceded a point in pool play, during which their exciting runners had been the highlight, but influential captain Kyle Brown was ruled out of the quarter after copping a two-match ban for foul play.
But the Fijians hit hard and dominated the breakdown, although Cecil Afrika missed a conversion from out wide after the hooter that would have pushed the game into extra-time.
"It is another disappointing World Cup for us," admitted South Africa coach Paul Treu. "It is a pity we couldn't do it for South Africa and Madiba, that is why we wanted to win this tournament, but it wasn't meant to be."
England played Kenya in the other semifinal after beating Australia 21-17 in a tightly fought encounter.
The Kenyans, coached by former England coach Mike Friday, scored a dramatic sudden-death 24-19 win over France after the two sides were pegged at 19 points apiece at full-time.
Willy Ambaka finally crashed over for the vital try through some desperate French defence flagging in soaring temperatures of 33ºC at the Luzhniki Stadium.
In the women's competition, defending champions Australia paid for an injury to key playmaker Tiana Penitani in suffering a shock 14-10 defeat by Spain. The Spanish were set to meet Canada, 15-12 victors over hosts Russia, in the semifinal, with New Zealand playing the United States in the other top-four play-off after they saw off England and Ireland, respectively.
Wales falter in sevens title defence
MOSCOW - New Zealand knocked defending champions Wales out of the Rugby World Cup Sevens before accounting for arch-rivals Fiji 17-0 in a rain-interrup- ted semifinal.
Their opponents in the final were England, who squeaked home to a 12-5 win over Kenya in the other semifinal on a sodden Luzhniki Stadium pitch.
Gordon Tietjens's All Blacks team has dominated the IRB World Series Sevens, winning 11 of the 14 titles on offer, but last won the World Cup in 2001.
They put in a clinical performance against the Welsh, unlikely outsiders who clinched victory in Dubai four years ago against odds of 80/1.
Up-and-coming Gillies Kaka scored a brace of tries, playmaker Tomasi Cama and Bryce Heem also crossing in a comprehensive 26-10 win.
Fiji produced a display of extremely aggressive defence to batter South Africa into a 12-10 defeat.
The Blitzbokke had not conceded a point in pool play, during which their exciting runners had been the highlight, but influential captain Kyle Brown was ruled out of the quarter after copping a two-match ban for foul play.
But the Fijians hit hard and dominated the breakdown, although Cecil Afrika missed a conversion from out wide after the hooter that would have pushed the game into extra-time.
"It is another disappointing World Cup for us," admitted South Africa coach Paul Treu. "It is a pity we couldn't do it for South Africa and Madiba, that is why we wanted to win this tournament, but it wasn't meant to be."
England played Kenya in the other semifinal after beating Australia 21-17 in a tightly fought encounter.
The Kenyans, coached by former England coach Mike Friday, scored a dramatic sudden-death 24-19 win over France after the two sides were pegged at 19 points apiece at full-time.
Willy Ambaka finally crashed over for the vital try through some desperate French defence flagging in soaring temperatures of 33ºC at the Luzhniki Stadium.
In the women's competition, defending champions Australia paid for an injury to key playmaker Tiana Penitani in suffering a shock 14-10 defeat by Spain. The Spanish were set to meet Canada, 15-12 victors over hosts Russia, in the semifinal, with New Zealand playing the United States in the other top-four play-off after they saw off England and Ireland, respectively.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos