NZ stung by USA after hooter
A Carlin Isles hat-trick has sent the New Zealand men’s sevens team tumbling out of the Las Vegas tournament at the hands of the hosts in yesterday’s semifinal.
Isles’ brilliance was the difference as the USA stormed back from a 0-12 deficit to oust the New Zealanders 24-19 for their third semifinal victory over the Kiwis in this season’s world series.
The result, nailed with Isles’ third try with time up, saw the Americans win through to their fifth straight final this season. They had lost the previous four. The USA went on to win a onesided final, 27-0 over Samoa.
The USA had led New Zealand 14-12 at the end of the first half, with two tries apiece.
Sione Molia dashed away wide on the left to get the Kiwis out to the early 7-0 lead at Sam Boyd Stadium, and Kurt Baker made it 12-0 soon after when he finished a move sparked by a big Tone Ng Shiu run.
But the Americans hit back with outstanding scores to Folau Niua and Isles to get their noses in front at the break.
The back and forth nature of the contest continued in the second spell, with Isles dashing clear wide on the right to put the Americans out to a 19-12 lead, and then Tim Mikkelson working a nice one-two off the lineout with Vilimoni Koroi to level at 19-19.
The Americans pressed hard for the victory in the closing minute and sealed the victory when Isles picked up from a ruck to sneak over wide on the right.
The Americans and New Zealanders came into this semifinal in Vegas tied atop the world series standings on 76 points apiece.
On day two the New Zealanders had won through to the last four with a dramatic comeback 19-14 victory over Fiji in the quarterfinals. The Americans had cruised past South Africa 29-10.