Samoa take Hong Kong Sevens title
New Zealand collapsed after a perfect start to hand Samoa a 24-21
victory and the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday in a repeat of the Las Vegas
final to edge ahead in the IRB World Series.
The Kiwis, holders of nine previous Hong Kong titles, were unable to
avenge their defeat to Samoa in the US in February, leaving the Pacific
islanders to take the glory in a thrilling finale in front of a 40,000
capacity crowd.
New Zealand drew first blood with quick scores under the posts for
Kurt Baker, the four-try star of the Kiwis' semi-final win, and were
14-0 up before Samoa had even touched the ball.
But the pre-tournament form team drew level at 14-14 by half-time
with Simaika Mikaele forcing his way through from close range out wide
to open Samoa's account.
Scoring machine Mikaele Pesamino broke through to touch down under
the posts for the Samoans to hand them the initiative immediately after
the break.
New Zealand could have levelled the tie again through DJ Forbes but
Australian referee Andrew Lees missed what looked like an obvious
off-the-ball foul on the veteran forward as he hared after his own
up-and-under.
Pesamino seized the initiative for Samoa, breaking one tackle to
score under the posts after taking the ball at speed in the midfield,
putting the Pacific islanders 24-14 ahead.
New Zealand weren't finished and replied under the posts with the
last move of the game, but it was too little too late.
Hong Kong took the fourth-tier shield final to rapturous applause and
a standing ovation, beating Russia 19-17.
Canada took the third-tier bowl while Australia won the consolation
plate competition.
Samoa, who last won in Hong Kong in 2007, had held off England in the
semi-finals 28-24.
New Zealand were also pushed to the limit against defending champions
Fiji in a festival of running rugby which proved to be the most
entertaining game of the competition.
Star of their semi-final was Baker, who crossed the line four times
as the Kiwis edged the creative and powerful Fijians 33-28.
Although they go home empty-handed, England will be proud of a good
showing in Hong Kong during a tournament in which they brushed aside
strong opposition and brought on new talent.
Organisers hope the Hong Kong Sevens, where thousands of fans many of
them in fancy dress roared on 24 teams over three days of rugby, will
have reinforced interest in the sport ahead of its Olympic debut in
Brazil in 2016.
The showpiece is the sixth stop on the eight-leg Sevens World Series
with further tournaments to come in England and Scotland.
HONG KONG, AFP
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