Fiji triumph as NZ finish fourth
Old foe Fiji won the inaugural Hamilton Sevens and sent New Zealand crashing out after an enthralling semifinal yesterday.
The crowds packed the stands at FMG Stadium Waikato for the titanic tussle this weekend had been waiting for – and the contest produced an outstanding encounter worthy of the occasion.
It was frantic, frenetic and loud, but it was light blue Fijian flags waving with delirious joy all the way to Fiji, then beating South Africa 24-17 in the final.
New Zealand had relinquished a second-half lead against a resurgent Fiji, who beat the hosts
14-12 and dashed Kiwi hopes of claiming a sevens title on home soil.
To make matters worse, Australia then beat New Zealand
8-7 in the bronze medal match to claim third, and James Stannard’s match-winning penalty drop goal after the hooter buzzed just rubbed salt into Kiwi wounds.
Fiji, who were on the brink of elimination in their quarterfinal against Samoa, then avenged their defeat to South Africa in last year’s final in Wellington by fighting back to win the Hamilton decider.
Reigning sevens champions South Africa led 17-5 but the final turned on Branco du Preez’s Fiji marched to a thrilling victory. Earlier, New Zealand had missed their chances – Luke Masirewa guilty of knocking on during their final attack – after leading Fiji 12-7 after the break in their semifinal.
Coach Clark Laidlaw lamented how they let a place in the final slip through their fingers.
‘‘It was a hell of a game and typical of New Zealand v Fiji. There were tight margins across the weekend and unfortunately we were on the wrong side in that last game,’’ he said.
‘‘ It’s our fourth tournament together with a new coaching group and we’re playing against teams that have had coaches for three to five years.’’