Semifinals exit for understrength NZ team

The New Zealand men’s sevens side was blasted off the park by a sharp United States outfit in the semifinals of the Cape Town tournament yesterday.

Then the Kiwis completed a disappointing final day of the latest stop of the new world series season when they were pipped 10-5 by South Africa in the bronze medal playoff to finish fourth at the event they won in 2017.

Clark Laidlaw’s men, looking to make it two in a row after their memorable victory in Dubai last week, were no match for the quick Americans in the semifinal as they ran in five tries to two to thump them 31-12.

The USA led 19-0 at halftime and controlled the match from go to whoa, with tries from Stephen Tomasin, Martin Iosefo, a rollicking effort from Danny Barrett, Perry Baker and Carlin Isles.

Andrew Knewstubb and debutant Taylor Haugh notched New Zealand’s only tries with the game already beyond them in the second half.

The Kiwis had every chance in a tight bronze medal clash against the Blitzbokke, with the scores locked at 5-5 at the break, as Sione Molia’s early try for the New Zealanders was answered by Werner Kok’s touchdown just before the buzzer.

Dewald Human scored in the corner in the 13th minute to put the South Africans in front for the first time in the match and though New Zealand had a chance on the final play of the match, Dylan Collier was unable to make more of an opening out wide.

The fourth-placed finish leaves the New Zealanders second overall on the series standings after two events, just a point behind leaders the USA.

Laidlaw’s side had survived a difficult opening day with a loss to Samoa in pool play requiring a 26-21 victory over the South Africans just to make it out of their pool.

They then charged past Australia 26-17 (21-5 halftime) in the quarterfinal to earn that semifinal matchup against the Americans, with Amanaki Nicole notching a hat-trick of tries.

‘‘We are proud of what this team has done,’’ Laidlaw said. ‘‘We have 11 or 12 players unavailable at home but this group has done well.’’

Fiji claimed their first tournament title of the new campaign when they thumped the USA 29-15 in the final.