Adam Thomas of Wales pitches the ball against New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images
New Zealand advanced undefeated through pool play at the Las Vegas sevens rugby tournament after beating Wales 26-5 early this afternoon (NZT).
Tries to Declan O'Donnell and Buxton Popoalii - the latter a brilliant solo effort deep into injury time - gave the New Zealanders a narrow 12-5 halftime lead
after Ifan Evans crossed for Wales.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens used his bench judiciously in the second spell, David Raikuna providing immediate impact with a try after four minutes. Scott Curry also scored coming off the bench, as the New Zealanders shut out the game to qualify top of Pool B.
The win was their third of the day, after earlier thrashing Uruguay 40-0 in the opening game before accounting for Kenya 25-10.
New Zealand will meet Argentina in the quarter-finals later today, a dangerous assignment given England's narrow 17-14 win over Argentina in pool play.
Results: New Zealand 40 (Toby Arnold 2, Solomon King, Bryce Heem, Frank Halai, Lote Raikabula tries; Buxton Popoalii 5 con) Uruguay 0. Halftime: 14-0.
New Zealand 25 (Tomasi Cama, Solomon King, Toby Arnold, Tim Mikkelson , Frank Halai tries) Kenya 10 (Collins Injera 2 tries). Halftime: 10-5.
New Zealand 26 (Declan O'Donnell, Buxton Popoalii, David Raikuna, Scott Curry tries; Popoalii 3 con) Wales 5 (Ifan Evans try). Halftime: 12-5.
- NZPA
