KEY POINTS:
A stirring second half comeback from South Africa has dashed New Zealand's hopes in the final of the Dubai Rugby Sevens.
South Africa won 31-12 after New Zealand had surprisingly led 12-0 at the break.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens admitted his side could not get their hands on the ball in the second half.
"We played well in the first half and scored two tries and could have had a third, but South Africa started really well in the second spell and their pace came to the fore in the end."
In greasy slippery conditions, New Zealand made a brilliant start and opened the scoring in the corner through Edwin Cocker after a superb break by Nigel Hunt.
But Hunt was sin binned for backchat a couple of minutes later. Despite being down a man New Zealand did not concede a try during the two minutes the Kiwi playmaker was off the field.
Hunt then scored a wonderful try with some brilliant footwork and interplay with Zar Lawrence to put New Zealand 12-0 up late in the first half.
South Africa could not get into the game, missed numerous tackles and turned the ball over on several occasions in the first half.
But Coach Paul Treu's half-time team talk worked a treat in the second spell as South Africa hit straight back.
"I just said to the guys there's more than enough time to come back into the game. 10 minutes is a long time in sevens and I think we won the game with our restarts because they couldn't get the ball," Treu said.
Philip Burger made a fine break from inside his 22 and then kicked ahead for Tobela Mdaka to score under the posts.
Springbok Kabamba Floors scored South Africa's second try to level the scores and New Zealand was rattled.
Mdaka scored his second try and then Danwel Demas outpaced the New Zealand cover defence to put South Africa 24-12 in front. Stefan Basson converted from the touchline and then added insult to injury by sprinting clear for South Africa's final try.
It was the first time New Zealand and South Africa had met in the final since South Africa won 33-26 in the 2003 Dubai final.
Tietjens felt the tournament had given New Zealand the springboard to go on and be a real force in the World Series this season.
"We will grow in confidence from our performances here, and it was a great overall team performance with the likes of (newcomer) Solomon King and Nigel Hunt outstanding."
"Last year we only came away with six points here and we've come away with 16 so it's given us a good start and now we can't let ourselves down next week in George." Tietjens said.
New Zealand had earlier beaten reigning IRB World Series champions Fiji 17-12 in the semi finals. It was sweet revenge for Gordon Tietjen's side which had lost to Fiji in four Cup semi finals last year.
South Africa had toppled defending champions England 19-0 in the second semi final.
Tietjens emphasized the need for strong defence against Fiji and they delivered emphatically.
Tietjens was thrilled with the win over Fiji and said his young side has matured quickly at the tournament.
"Defensively we really shut them down, and to get our first win over Fiji in over a year is huge." Tietjens said.
The tournament will forever be remembered not for the play on the field but for the bizarre weather. It only ever rains in Dubai a couple of times a year, but the finals day was ruined by a torrential deluge that left the playing surface a bog.
New Zealand had brushed aside Canada 31-0 in the quarter finals.
Fiji reached the semi finals by destroying France 46-7 while England overcame Australia 21-5 and South Africa toppled Samoa 19-10.
The IRB Sevens series now moves to George in South Africa for the second leg next weekend.
FINAL
South Africa 31 (Tries: Tobela Mdaka (2) Kabamba Floors, Danwel Demas, Stefan Basson; Con: Basson (3))
New Zealand 12 (Tries: Edwin Cocker, Nigel Hunt; Con: Hunt (1))
SEMI FINAL
New Zealand 17 (Tries: Edwin Cocker, Lote Raikabula, Zar Lawrence; Con: Nigel Hunt (1))
Fiji 12 (Tries: Neumi Nanuku, Setefano Cakau)
- NZPA
