Rugby: NZ lose Hong Kong final

DJ Forbes of New Zealand makes a break during the match against Wales. Photo / Getty Images

Waisea Nayacalevu's second try of the match with two minutes left gave Fiji a 35-28 win over defending champion New Zealand in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.

The win moved Fiji to within two points of leader New Zealand in the overall IRB sevens world series after six of nine tournaments. The New Zealanders have 111 points, Fiji 109 and third-place South Africa, which came third in Hong Kong, 93.

Branco du Preez scored a try and kicked four conversions for 13 points in South Africa's 28-0 win over England in the third-place match.

Earlier, with a yellow card against him, DJ Forbes watched from the sidelines as his teammates made safe New Zealand's path to the final of the Hong Kong Sevens.

The 19-12 victory over South Africa - who have never won a Hong Kong title - secured a place in the final against traditional rival Fiji.

New Zealand captain Forbes was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on early in the second half of their quarter-final, with South Africa taking advantage of the extra man from the restart to level the scores at 12-12.

But a touch of brilliance from Tomasi Cama created space for Tim Mikkelson to score a converted try. It was the score that sealed victory and brought relief fro Forbes as it cancelled out the South African try conceded in his absence.

As South Africa made one final desperate dash in the dying seconds, new player Ardie Savea managed a turnover at a ruck that would make any No7 in the XV-aside game proud. The 18-year-old had been introduced into the match as a substitute.

"I think 'Titch' [coach Gordon Tietjens] wanted me to do something" he said after the match. "And I just come on and do my bit.

"Just to get a win here and be in the final is a good achievement - it's a great achievement."

In the other semifinal, Fiji beat England 14-7 despite a muddled performance.

In their mission to defend their Hong Kong title, New Zealand had earlier powered past a hapless Wales in the quarter-final, hitting their straps to record a 31-7 victory.

The series leaders, on the hunt for an 11th success at Hong Kong and 10th overall series win, ran the show in their group matches. Both Wales (24-7) and South Africa (19-10) had already been beaten in pool play by the New Zealanders.

South Africa's path to the semifinal was tough, with an in-form Samoa presenting a physical challenge before the South Africans prevailed 27-14.

Wales advanced from the pools as one of the two best third-place teams despite only one win, over the United States.

Despite touches of rich form, Australia - who haven't won the Hong Kong title since 1988 - lost to England 19-14 in the quarter-final.

Traditional favourites with the Hong Kong crowd - where they have won a record 12 times - the Fijians kicked-off with a rout against Scotland then barely shifted into second gear against France, 26-12. In both those matches, Metuisela Talebula scoring two tries in both wins.

And even against their strongest group opponent, Australia, who had shown some blistering form on the pitch this weekend, the Fijians were too good and qualified at the top of Pool C.

- AP/Staff reporter