New Zealand recovered from an early 5-0 deficit and a one-man disadvantage when Tim Mikkelson was sent to the bin. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Hosts Australia stood in the way from the All Blacks Sevens opening their defence of the IRB series in winning fashion on the Gold Coast last night.
New Zealand were looking to end a run of back to back defeats at the Australian event after booking a spot against the
hosts in the final. New Zealand haven't won the title since the event's final year in Adelaide in 2011. The last two years they came close only to lose to Fiji in the final.
Australia's booked their first ever finals appearance on home soil with a 24-19 win over South Africa in the semifinals.
The All Blacks Sevens advanced to their fifth final in Australia with a 14-5 win over England who earlier eliminated defending champions Fiji in the quarter-finals. New Zealand recovered from an early 5-0 deficit and a one-man disadvantage when Tim Mikkelson was sent to the bin. They took a 7-5 lead into the break following a Scott Curry try, while Mikkelson made up for his earlier indiscretion to score New Zealand's second try which clinched the win.
Earlier New Zealand made light work of Samoa in the quarter-finals with a 40-0 thrashing.
