Fiji maul Kiwis, set up Cup quarter vs Canada
Crusaders ‘consolidate’ lead as NSW win derby
LONDON, June 2, (AFP): Toulon winger Josua Tuisova crossed for a brace of tries as Fiji hammered New Zealand 27-7 in their final pool match on Saturday to set up a Cup quarter-final against Canada in the London leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Boasting not only Tuisova but also free-running Bordeaux-Begles-bound back Semi Radradra among their ranks, the Fijians had far too much firepower for the Kiwis, who only managed to score a late consolation try through Sam Dickson.
Series leaders Fiji had earlier seen off Argentina, 28-19, and Scotland, 39-12, while New Zealand also beat those two sides (36-5, 24-12) to finish second in Pool A and set up a quarterfinal against South Africa.
The Blitzboks topped Pool D after wins over Russia and Canada, though they dropped their final pool game, 2112, to Samoa, who had lost their first two games.
Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell was far from pleased with his team’s performance.
Meanwhile,A late Luke Romano try ensured the table-topping Canterbury Crusaders downed the Waikato Chiefs 34-20 in their Super Rugby clash on Saturday while the NSW Waratahs won a 15-try derby extravaganza.
It was a double celebration for the Crusaders as they strengthened their lead in the competition with their 10th consecutive win, and marked the record 200th appearance and 199th Super game by long-serving prop Wyatt Crockett.
The Waratahs regained their lead in the Australian conference with a freeflowing 52-41 win over the Queensland Reds in Brisbane after the Melbourne Rebels had earlier topped the conference with a 20-10 win over the Auckland Blues.
For the Crusaders it was an anxious final 30 minutes after Luke Jacobson’s second try saw the Chiefs close to 2720 at the 50-minute mark.
But the champions’ defence held to deny the Chiefs a potentially matchlevelling try and with two minutes remaining Romano drove over to put the result beyond doubt and extend the Crusaders competition lead to nine points over the Wellington Hurricanes.
The Crusaders, already without injured Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty,