South Africa halt kiwi winning streak

[no.8]

South Africa has won the final of the Fairmont Homes International Rugby Sevens this evening after defeating New Zealand, 15-7, in front of 17,133 fans at Adelaide Oval.

The defeat ends New Zealand’s recent dominance of the iRB Sevens World Series and also ends their record winning streak which sat at 47 matches before tonight’s final.

In the Plate final Tonga edged out Kenya in a thriller 14-12, while Argentina won the Bowl and Wales picked up the Shield.


Cup Final

South Africa has ended New Zealand’s string of 47 victories in a dramatic finale to the tournament this evening.

Fabian Juries was the star for South Africa scoring two solo tries in a near faultless South African display.

The victory is only South Africa’s sixth against New Zealand in almost ten years and the first since Dubai in 2006.

Robert Ebersohm started the scoring for the Springboks when he outpaced the New Zealand cover defence and dived over in the corner.

Juries then scored his first after a brilliant side step and pace proved too elusive for the Kiwi defence. Renfred Dazel’s missed conversion kept the score at 10-0 at half time.

The defending World Series Champions began their fightback through Victor Vito’s powerful run and try early in the second half. Tomasi Cama converted to narrow the margin to 10-7.

Although that would be as close as New Zealand would come as Juries put the game to bed minutes later when he duck and dived under the Kiwis defence to score the match winning try.

Plate Final

Tonga has claimed the Plate title after a thrilling 14-12 win over Kenya.

Peasipa Moimoi opened the scoring inside 90 seconds before Peter Ocholla hit back for the Kenyans.

Ualosi Kailea then edged Tonga ahead after some great lead up play and Vaea Poteki’s conversion gave Tonga a 14-7 lead at the break.

Kenya again responded through Collins Injera but Ocholla missed the conversion to leave the score at 14-12.

Both sides traded counter attacks late in the game in search for the winning blow, but only some outstanding defence kept both teams at bay.

Bowl Final

Argentina has won the Bowl title after a close 26-21 victory over USA.

The Argentines looked to be cruising at 19-7 midway through the second half but USA staged a strong comeback and took a 21-19 lead after Todd Clever’s try.

Although Argentina were not to be denied and Gabriel Ascarate’s mazy run and try won the final for the South Americans.

Shield Final

Wales needed an extra time try to James Lewis to edge out Canada 12-7 for the Shield.

Canada took a first half lead after Philip Mack touched down and looked to have the Shield in their grasp until Richard Pugh’s late second half effort tied up the contest 7-7 and forced extra time.

The Welsh only needed 40 seconds to score a “golden try”, with Lewis diving over to claim victory.

Final Results

Cup – South Africa 15 defeated New Zealand 7

Plate – Tonga 14 defeated Kenya 12

Bowl – Argentina 26 defeated USA 21

Shield – Wales 12 defeated Canada 7

[gustafsl]

They didn't mention in there the Kenyan guy that snapped his ankle in half with a minute left in the Plate Final. About as sickening as any of the slow motion leg injuries you always see. He got the ball and ran a good 40 metres and came head to head with the last Tongan defender. Went for the fake left, fake right , go left. Well on the fake right is right ankle just snapped and he basically just face planted into the ground. They showed the replay on the big screen and it was bad. I came home and watched it on the tape and he didn't seem to be in too much pain, but the announcer said if he snapped the achilles he wouldn't be in pain.

Hope he makes a quick recovery and can get back in the game soon.

[jargan83]

Where did Australia finish up? I saw a bit on saturday night and that was about it

[travelling_gerry]

Australia lost to Tonga in the plate Semi Final (21-7) I think.

[gustafsl]

Australia lost to Tonga in the plate Semi Final (21-7) I think.

Yeah. Walker pretty much cost us the game. He was by far the worst player on the field for the Aussies all weekend. Not sure why they kept him out there. Wonder if he had some clause in his agreement to go play for them that he had to play every minute. He's was a joke out there.

O'Connor was brillant. Made lots of good breaks, the only problem was no one would/could keep up with him so a lot of times he would be stopped by the last couple defenders and there would be no one there to pass it to. He will look good in a Force jersey!!!!