NZ thrash France to extend lead in World Rugby Sevens

Fiji knocked out of semis by shock 26-10 loss to Argentina

HAMILTON, New Zealand, Jan 26, (AP): New Zealand beat France 27-5 Sunday to win the home leg of the World Rugby Sevens series, extending its series lead and its favoritism for the Olympic tournament later this year.

Scott Curry scored three tries and Regan Ware two as New Zealand overwhelmed France in the final to remain unbeaten at the tournament and move 15 points clear of South Africa after three rounds of the World Sevens Series.

New Zealand has two wins and a second placing from tournaments in Dubai, Cape Town and Hamilton. It was level with South Africa on 41 points after the first two tournaments of the season.

South Africa won the first tournament in Dubai from New Zealand while New Zealand won the second from South Africa in Cape Town to share the lead after two rounds.

New Zealand now leads the series with 63 points from South Africa and France, who both have 48 points.

In Sunday’s final New Zealand was always on top against France, scoring early through Curry to lead 7-0.

Tavite Varedamu was sin-binned in the first half but returned to immediately score France’s first try, trimming the lead to 7-5.

New Zealand took command of the match from that point, scoring through Ware to lead 12-5 at half-time. Ware scored early in the second half, then Curry scored twice as New Zealand raced away to a convincing win.

The tournament was one of major upsets, magnified by the unique format which meant there were no quarterfinals and only the top team in each pool progressed to the semifinals.

Under that format – opposed by most coaches – reigning World Series and Olympic champions Fiji and three-time World Series champions South Africa found themselves in a playoff for ninth and 10th. Fiji, knocked out of the semis by a shock 26-10 loss to Argentina in the last round of pool matches, took ninth when it won the playoff 12-5.

United States’ Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates on the podium after winning an alpine ski, women’s World Cup superG in Bansko, Bulgaria on Jan 26. (AP)