Sevens teams both book semifinal spots
New Zealand’s men’s and women’s teams have booked their spots in the Commonwealth Games sevens semifinals after dominating their pools.
After thumping Zambia 54-0 in their tournament opener, New Zealand’s men put away Kenya in their second encounter 40-7, and Canada 33-7 in their final pool match last night.
Vilimoni Koroi was in strong form for the last game of the day against Canada, scoring one try and setting up two others. Teenager Etene NanaiSeturo also had some good moments, scoring a first half double as New Zealand routed Kenya earlier.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand women’s sevens side are staking a strong claim to take out the inaugural Commonwealth Games gold medal.
In their final match of pool play yesterday, New Zealand beat Canada 24-7 at Robina Stadium, despite having two players yellow-carded.
Gold Coast is the first Commonwealth Games to include women’s rugby sevens.
The final score flattered New Zealand, thanks to two late tries.
‘‘It was a tough match against Canada, a typical Canadian-New Zealand match. Canada are awesome. Their speed on the outside is amazing. We managed to get two tries to hang in there and we came away with that one, so we’re pretty stoked,’’ New Zealand captain Sarah Goss said.
Fresh from 45-0 and 41-0 victories over Kenya and South Africa respectively on Friday night, a third straight win on the Gold Coast meant New Zealand comfortably finished on top of Pool A.