Samoa beats NZ to win HK 7s
Source: Agencies |
March 29, 2010, Monday
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SAMOA came from behind to beat New Zealand 24-21 and win the Hong Kong Sevens yesterday, taking the lead in the IRB Sevens World Series with two tournaments left in the season.
Samoa's third straight title, which came at the biggest event of the year, gave it 30 points and an overall 124 points in the standings. New Zealand, an eight-time world series champion, dropped to second with 121 points.
Kurt Baker, who scored four tries in New Zealand's semifinal victory over Fiji, crossed twice in the first four minutes to help the Kiwis race to a 14-0 lead. Samoa responded with two tries, but missed a conversion, leaving it trailing 12-14 at the half.
Then Mikaele Pesamino scored two consecutive tries and Lolo Lui made one conversion to put Samoa ahead 24-14. The Samoans held on to that lead for most of the second half with tenacious defense, making a late try and conversion by New Zealand meaningless.
Samoa coach Stephen Betham said composure was key to their victory, "just keeping ourselves in the game and knowing that the game isn't over until the final whistle."
Earlier, Samoa beat the United States 24-7 in the quarterfinals and edged England 28-24 in the semifinals.
Australia defeated South Africa 12-5 in the plate final, earning 16 points under new tournament rules that diverted the losing quarterfinalists into the plate competition. As a losing plate finalist, South Africa gets 10 points.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge was among the trophy presenters, attending the Hong Kong Sevens after the sport was given Olympic status in October. Sevens will debut at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Samoa's third straight title, which came at the biggest event of the year, gave it 30 points and an overall 124 points in the standings. New Zealand, an eight-time world series champion, dropped to second with 121 points.
Kurt Baker, who scored four tries in New Zealand's semifinal victory over Fiji, crossed twice in the first four minutes to help the Kiwis race to a 14-0 lead. Samoa responded with two tries, but missed a conversion, leaving it trailing 12-14 at the half.
Then Mikaele Pesamino scored two consecutive tries and Lolo Lui made one conversion to put Samoa ahead 24-14. The Samoans held on to that lead for most of the second half with tenacious defense, making a late try and conversion by New Zealand meaningless.
Samoa coach Stephen Betham said composure was key to their victory, "just keeping ourselves in the game and knowing that the game isn't over until the final whistle."
Earlier, Samoa beat the United States 24-7 in the quarterfinals and edged England 28-24 in the semifinals.
Australia defeated South Africa 12-5 in the plate final, earning 16 points under new tournament rules that diverted the losing quarterfinalists into the plate competition. As a losing plate finalist, South Africa gets 10 points.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge was among the trophy presenters, attending the Hong Kong Sevens after the sport was given Olympic status in October. Sevens will debut at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
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