Late lapses costly as NZ finish fourth
New Zealand have blown two finalminute leads to finish fourth at the Las Vegas Sevens.
First, they coughed up 19 unanswered points in a 19-14 loss to Fiji in the semifinals yesterday, including the winning try to Masivesi Dakuwaqa with one minute to go.
Then, they lost the third-fourth playoff 19-15 to the United States when Andrew Durutalo dotted down in the final play of the game.
South Africa went on to win the final against Fiji 19-12, after beating USA 20-17 in their semifinal.
New Zealand had a good start to their semifinal when Fiji kicked into touch from the start, allowing them to march down field on attack.
Vilimoni Koroi, the 18-year-old playmaker, put Iopu Iopu-aso across in the corner after two minutes, but when he was wiped out while dotting down with a head high tackle, a penalty try was awarded and Kalione Nasoko was handed a yellow card.
Isaac Te Tamaki was able to pounce on the man advantage moments later, crossing near the posts after New Zealand forced a turnover.
Fiji eventually scored through Mesulame Kunavula after a period of sustained pressure inside New Zealand’s half.
Up 14-5 at halftime, New Zealand followed Fiji’s lead in kicking out on the full, and Fiji made the most of the field position as Joeli Lutumailagi crossed with an outstretched arm.
By this point Fiji were stamping their mark on the contest, refusing to go into contact for as long as they could.
Koroi, however, continued to spark New Zealand when given the opportunity, his footwork and vision a reminder of Tomasi Cama at his finest.
But any New Zealand error, and Fiji would pounce. So it proved as Dakuwaqa crossed untouched under the posts to take the lead with a minute remaining.
New Zealand had to go 80 metres in 60 seconds to snatch victory, but when Iopu-aso was shunted into touch with 30 seconds left Fiji had control of the ball. Their throw was stray, allowing New Zealand another sniff of hope, but a knock-on ended their chances.
In the third-fourth playoff, New Zealand found themselves down a try and a man early on after Maka Unufe crossed for USA and Dylan Collier was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.
Collier returned to setup DJ Forbes for their opening try as they went into halftime down 7-5.
An unconverted Tim Mikkelson try was answered from Danny Barrett as USA led by four with two minutes to go.
That set the stage for what should have been a stunning winning try to Sione Moli. He beat virtually the whole of the USA team with a 60-metre solo effort to put his side up by one with just 30 seconds to go.
But the hosts could not be denied in front of their home fans, as Ben Pinkelman drew a New Zealand defender before passing to Durutalo to win it for their country after the final hooter had sounded.