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Home / Sport / Rugby / Rugby Sevens

Rugby: NZ dominate in London to keep series alive

27 May, 2007 07:20 PM3 mins to read

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New Zealand beat Fiji in the final 29 7. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand beat Fiji in the final 29 7. Photo / Getty Images

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KEY POINTS:

New Zealand produced their most dominant International Rugby Board sevens performance in several seasons by romping to the title in London this morning (NZ time).

New Zealand thrashed Fiji 29-7 in the final at a damp Twickenham, shutting the series leaders down with a fearsome defensive performance.

Zar
Lawrence crossed for crucial tries either side of halftime to set up victory and cap a brilliant day when they also comprehensively beat the other teams that make up the series' top four.

It started with a 14-0 quarterfinal defeat of South Africa, followed by a 19-0 win over Samoa in the semifinals.

A superb individual try by Fijian playmaker William Ryder on the stroke of halftime in the final was the only try the New Zealanders conceded on the second day.

"It was a great defensive effort, one try on the day showed that we did the hard yards," Tietjens said.

"We kept control of the ball well and denied them space and that was enough for us."

The result lifts New Zealand past Samoa to second on the IRB series standings with the final round to be played this weekend in Edinburgh.

They are 10 points behind defending champions Fiji meaning that if New Zealand can win the final at Edinburgh, they need the Fijians to fail to reach the semifinals to lift the crown.

Injuries robbed New Zealand of halfback Nigel Hunt and Blues Super 14 fullback Ben Atiga today.

The pair are in doubt for the Edinburgh tournament and Tietjens said they would be assessed quickly before determining whether replacements would be called from New Zealand.

Tomasi Cama filled Hunt's playmaking role admirably in the final, providing the glue on attack in slippery conditions while his forwards dominated in the tackles.

Afeleke Pelenise and Lawrence scored before Ryder replied with a brilliant sole effort as New Zealand took a 12-7 lead into halftime of the final.

Lawrence took advantage of some good work by forwards Edwin Cocker and DJ Forbes to extend the advantage before Chiefs winger Roy Kinikinilau snaffled an intercept to seal the result four minutes from the end.

Replacement Adam Thomson was driven over from a lineout in the final play.

"We had to do it really the hard way, no easy games, and I thought we adapted to the conditions very well," Tietjens said.

"My captain DJ Forbes was quite outstanding today, Edwin Cocker and Afeleke Pelenise out wide had a fantastic tournament, not to single out to many individuals because I thought it was a marvellous team performance.

"We go to Murrayfield with a glimmer of hope. We're going to keep them honest and have a crack in Scotland."

RESULTS

Cup
Quarterfinals: Fiji 26 Australia 10, Wales 15 Scotland 5, NEW ZEALAND 14 South Africa 0, Samoa 39 Argentina 10
Semifinals: Fiji 24 Wales 7, NEW ZEALAND 19 Samoa 0
Final: NEW ZEALAND 29 Fiji 7

Plate
Semifinals: Australia 15 Scotland 5, South Africa 17 Argentina 14
Final: South Africa 14 Australia 5

Bowl
Quarterfinals: France 31 Georgia 0, England 19 Kenya 0, Portugal 5 Italy 0, Russia 19 Canada 5
Semifinals: England 17 France 7, Portugal 19 Russia 12
Final: England 10 Portugal 0

Shield
Semifinals: Kenya 19 Georgia 0, Italy 17 Canada 12
Final: Kenya 15 Italy 0

STANDINGS:
Fiji 120, New Zealand 110, Samoa 106, South Africa 88, England 50, Australia 32, France 28, Wales 26, Scotland 22, Kenya 16, Argentina 11, Tonga 10

- NZPA

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