Aussies clinch title
The New Zealand women made the Paris Sevens final played overnight but Australia had already clinched the World Series title by winning their semifinal. After cruising past Spain 38-0 in the quarter-finals and Canada 34-7 in the semifinals, the Kiwis then had to await the outcome of Australia’s semifinal to know if they were still title contenders. France led with just seconds remaining but Australia scored from the final play of the game to snatch a 21-17 win. Paris is the fifth and final tournament of the women’s World Series, and New Zealand and Australia went into it with two wins each. South Africa and Fiji were vying for the men’s title in Paris overnight. New Zealand wrapped up third after reaching the quarter-finals, which they won 33-7 against the United States last night.
The Warriors skipper is racing an ankle injury to keep up club and national plans
The 23-year-old crossed for a second-half hat-trick down the right flank to go to three tries clear at the top of the NRL try-scorers list with 15 four-pointers for the season so far.
The Tongan international was dynamic in finishing opportunities created by playmakers Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke, and his contribution was matched by left wing Ken Maumalo and centre Solomone Kata, whose strong charges gave the Warriors attacking momentum.
The outside back trio complemented the good work of the Warriors forwards to allow Luke to run from dummy half and create space for Johnson to wreak havoc out wide as they stormed back from 8-0 down to overwhelm the Sea Eagles six tries to two.
Fusitu’a downplayed his tryscoring feats but believes the outside backs set a benchmark which they intend on raising throughout the second half of the season.
“I’m just doing my part,” said Fusitu’a. “When I get these opportunities to score or help out the team wherever I can, I do my best to execute every single time.
“That’s what we train for and when I get those opportunities, I don’t want to miss any.
“We know what the standard is for us and we’re going to look to get better every week.”
Kearney was thrilled his big wingers were able to stamp their mark, despite Manly’s tactic of finding touch to try to prevent Fusitu’a and Maumalo from getting the ball on kick-returns.
The Warriors’ first two tries to second rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Tohu Harris both came after powerful runs from Maumalo and Kata put the Sea Eagles defence on their heels.
Another tough carry from Maumalo early in the second half preceded Fusitu’a bursting through two tackles on his way to sending Johnson in for their third four-pointer in the No 7’s 150th match.
“Both of those guys have done a tremendous job for us all season,” said Kearney. “I know the opposition came with a plan to try and stop them because they’re pretty good momentum builders and for a good part of the season, they’ve done that nearly every week for us and they’ve been great.”
Fusitu’a and Kata are both expected to get the call-up for Tonga’s mid-season Pacific test against Samoa in Sydney on June 23, with Maumalo also likely to oppose them in a blue jersey.