World Cup double for Kiwis
New Zealand won a World Cup sevens tournament double for the second time in a row.
Two tries to Sione Molia helped the New Zealand men’s team score five tries to two to beat England 33-12 in the 2018 final at San Francisco yesterday to join the Black Ferns women’s team on the winners’ podium.
The men’s victory means New Zealand are World Cup winners in four arenas – men’s and women’s 15s and both sevens disciplines.
Clark Laidlaw’s men’s team – World Cup winners in 2001 and 2013 – were too strong for the English, who were aiming to win their first title since their inaugural tournament success in 1993.
It was a record third title for the New Zealanders and captain Tim Mikkelson said the victory was ‘‘massive’’.
‘‘We knew coming in it was going to be tough. We nearly got knocked out by France but raised it against Fiji. Credit to coaching staff, the coach brought the boys together.
‘‘We didn’t get the results but we kept on working’’
The Black Ferns were in the crowd, urging the men on and Mikkelson said that winning the double was ‘‘huge’’ for New Zealand sevens.
‘‘Both men and women train in the same place [ Mt Maunganui] and they put pressure on us by winning their final.
‘‘Credit to England who played amazing this weekend and we’re humbled to get the victory.’’
In a repeat of the 2013 final in Moscow, which New Zealand won 33-0, the Kiwis got the perfect start.
Molia broke through two England tackles to sprint 40m to the line in the second minute. Kurt Baker’s conversion gave New Zealand a 7-0 lead.
Molia grabbed his second try when he flopped over from a ruck after more concerted pressure by New Zealand, who had a penalty advantage. Baker’s conversion gave them a 14-0 lead.
England did not get over the halfway line until the final minute of the first half.
Mikkelson stopped their momentum with a spot tackle on Dan Norton, but the English kept the ball alive to allow Mike Ellery to cross for their first try. Captain Tom Mitchell’s conversion cut the halftime lead to 14-7.
England began brightly in the second half but blew it by conceding a penalty for holding onto the ball at a breakdown under pressure from Baker.
That gave New Zealand the field territory needed for Joe Ravouvou to race over for his sixth try of the tournament after beating his man and showing deft footwork to stay infield as he hurtled down the left-hand sideline to give the Kiwis a 19-7 lead. That margin proved shortlived. Burly Ruaridh McConnochie swatted away a Kiwi tackler to power over for a try down England’s left edge. But Mitchell could not convert, leaving England trailing 19-12.
New Zealand substitute Akuila Rokoliso sealed victory with a breakaway try in the final minute, allowing Baker to add the extras and Trael Joass completed the rout in added time.
Veteran Scott Curry, who had a terrific game on defence, was adjudged player of the final.
Rouvovou, who finished as joint top-try scorer, won the Mark of Excellence award for the tournament’s most influential player.
South Africa beat Fiji 24-19 in the third-fourth playoff to claim their first World Cup bronze medal.