KEY POINTS:
Fiji rained on New Zealand's parade for the second time this month when eliminating them from the International Rugby Board's world sevens series tournament in the United States today.
Fiji beat New Zealand 19-10 in the semifinal in San Diego to book a final against either France or Samoa later today.
Having lost 0-31 to Fiji in the semifinals of the Wellington leg of the series just nine days ago, New Zealand showed considerable improvement today but it was not enough to earn them victory.
New Zealand made the first impact when Edwin Cocker was rewarded for following up when he picked up the ball and dotted down in the right-hand corner after Zar Lawrence had been dragged down just short of the tryline.
Fiji struck back in style when Mosese Volavola scored after the New Zealand defence was stretched to the left then the right.
William Ryder added the conversion, but he missed with his next shot when Nasoni Rako picked up the spoils after Ryder initiated a chip-chase attack.
Fiji extended their 12-5 halftime advantage to 14 points when Volavola scored his second try after a series of penalties went against the New Zealanders.
The islanders were then reduced to six men for the last two minutes after Etonia Naba was sinbinned for a late tackle, and New Zealand made use of the extra space for Solomon King to score a consolation try.
Fiji had earlier looked very vulnerable in their quarterfinal, which they won 26-21 thanks to a try in sudden death extra time by Mosese Volavola.
By comparison, the New Zealanders always looked in control against England, relying on their sturdy defence for a 19-7 result.
- NZPA
