Brad Morgan
31 March 2008
South Africa's Sevens rugby team, after a good run of results, were stopped by New Zealand's all-conquering team in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday, going down 26-12 in the final.
The Kiwis' victory was their seventh tournament title on the trot, their 42nd victory in succession, but their first Hong Kong Sevens title since 2001. Their success leaves the New Zealanders in an almost unassailable lead for the IRB Sevens World Series title with South Africa in second place.
South Africa reached the title-decider without losing a game, although there were a couple of narrow victories along the way.
Pool C
Competing in Pool C, Paul Treu's charges opened with a 40-7 thrashing of Japan. Russia were spanked 48-0 before a showdown against Argentina to decide the winner of the pool. In a tight contest, a late try took South Africa to a 19-14 victory.
In the quarterfinals, Australia were the opposition. After racing into a quick 14-0 lead, Neil Powell and company conceded two converted tries to allow the Aussies to draw level at 14-14. However, with time running out, Renfred Dazel crossed for the decisive score to help SA to another 19-14 win.
Samoa stood between South Africa and the final and the final result was even closer than the previous two matches as SA claimed a 12-10 victory. Tries by MJ Mentz and Mzwandile Stick proved just enough as desperate and excellent defence kept the Pacific islanders at bay.
New Zealand, meanwhile, reached the final with a clinical 34-0 dismantling of the nine-time champions, Fiji.
The final
In the final, the Kiwis got off to a fast with Lote Raikabula and Steven Yates crossing for tries, both of which were converted by Tomasi Cama.
Mzwandile Stick then reduced the deficit to seven points when he went over for South Africa, but Raikabula scored his second before the break to make it 21-7 at half-time.
Zar Lawrence moved the New Zealanders 19 points clear when he broke through for the favourites' fourth try and it wasn't until after the final hooter had sounded that South Africa managed to crack the Kiwis' defences. Fabian Juries finally found a way through a gap out wide on the right, but the contest had already been decided.
Despite the loss in the final, there were reasons for the South African team to feel well satisfied with their results; it was the first time they had reached the final of the Hong Kong Sevens and the runner-up result helped consolidate the team's second place in the IRB Sevens World Series.
The Plate final was won by France, who sneaked a narrow 17-14 win over Argentina extra time, while Russia retained the Bowl title with a 19-14 victory over Zimbabwe.
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