![LV= Cup [Anglo-Welsh]](images/LV Cup 2011 SB.jpg)
WELLINGTON 7s 2016
JOE WEBBER snatched a dramatic victory for the hosts and defending champions in Wellington New Zealand, a 24-21 win over South Africa, in the third round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series at the Westpac Stadium.
HIGHLIGHTS
The All Blacks Sevens came from 14-0 and 21-7 behind to dramatically beat South Africa 24-21 in the Cup final of the HSBC Wellington Sevens.
The win sees Sir Gordon Tietjens' move from seventh to third in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings with 47 points, five behind Fiji who finished third at the Westpac Stadium and seven behind the Blitzboks who moved ahead of Fiji for the first time this season.
There were enthralling scenes in Wellington as the hosts snatched victory at the death to claim a hat-trick of Wellington titles and a fifth in six years thanks to a match-winning try from Joe Webber. New Zealand kept the ball and their composure after the buzzer had sounded to cap a remarkable comeback, similar to that of their 17-14 pool victory over Neil Powell's side at the end of day.
"All week we talked about how we needed a lot of heart and a lot of ticker," said captain Tim Mikkelson."Liam Messam came back from Japan and talked about putting the pride back in the jersey after the last couple of tournaments, 
and that's what we did. We talked about securing the kick-offs and we bumbled a few and put ourselves under pressure but we knew if we could keep the ball in hand we could win."
In the semi finals Cheslin Kolbe scored two tries to help Neil Powell's side cruise to a 31-0 win over Fiji, while Ben Lam also scored two as the hosts New Zealand booked their place in the final with a win over England. Sydney hosts Australia won the Plate with a 21-5 win over Argentina.
SAMOA TOO STRONG FOR SCOTLAND
Samoa dispatched Scotland without too much trouble to win the Bowl final. Samoa's Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa turned Scotland's Mark Robertson inside and out with another trademark step to score the opening try. Samoa scored two turnover tries in the second half with Tomasi Alosio the first to scoot over from the base of the ruck on the 10-minute mark. Danny Tusitala followed his lead a few minutes later after the Pacific Islanders turned defence into attack. Scotland had the last say however when Gavin Lowe dotted down with the clock in red.
FRANCE GRAB SOME SILVERWARE
France won the Shield after beating Russia 14-7. Captain Steve Barry got the French off to a great start, picking the ball up at the base of the ruck after a good weaving run from Julien Candelon to score the game's first try. Moments later, 35-year-old Candelon crossed the line himself with Arthur Retiere supplying the extras. Russia almost got back into the game after half time but Vladimir Sozonov failed to ground the ball properly. Vladimir Lazarenko's score three minutes later was too little too late.
HOSTS and defending champions New Zealand won all three of their matches on day one of the HSBC Wellington Sevens to march into the quarter-finals after dramatically beating South Africa 19-14 in the last match of the day.
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series leaders Fiji and Australia also maintained 100% records with impressive displays at the Westpac Stadium, as the third round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series continued to entertain.
The All Blacks Sevens, who have won four of their last five home tournaments, came from 7-0 behind to beat Cape Town Sevens champions South Africa 19-14. Two Akira Ioane breaks, the first to set up Sam Dickson, gave New Zealand a 12-7 lead before Cheslin Kolbe looked to have given the Blitzboks the win. But a trademark Sonny Bill Williams offload gave Joe Webber the chance to dot down under the posts for the home side to finish top of Pool A.
POOL A
1 
2 
3 
4 
POOL B
1 
2 
3 
4 
POOL C
1 
2 
3 
4 
POOL D
1 
2 
3 
4 
On a day where Williams made his international sevens debut and scored a try with his first touch, Sir Gordon Tietjens' side will now meet Kenya in the quarter-finals, a repeat of the dramatic semi-final from two years ago in which Oscar Ouma scored in sudden-death extra-time to put the African side into the final.
"Hopefully I can grow into the tournament and just keep learning," said Williams "It was a sneaky scab try, I was just backing up, but like I said I just want to learn. I am grateful to be playing amongst such talented players.
"It is always good to play at home, and in the All Blacks jersey, in Wellington, from an NZ perspective I'm not sure it gets much bigger than this."
Ben Ryan's Fiji scored 17 tries, including four from Savenaca Rawaca to take his tally for the season to 14, and will face USA in a mouth-watering quarter-final, while Australia will meet South Africa in their quarter-final after Sam Myers scored at the death to beat Kenya 17-12 in the Pool D decider, adding to two earlier tries from Greg Jeloudev.
Despite a defeat to Samoa, England were the other side to finish top of their pool. Finishing ahead of Mike Friday's USA having beaten them in their second match of the day, England will play Cape Town runners-up Argentina. Simon Amor's side return to the quarter-finals having missed out in Cape Town, in the only change from the final eight in South Africa.
USA booked their place with a 29-21 win over France with two tries from Carlin Isles, finishing second to England in their pool having lost to Amor's side in their earlier match.
SATURDAY 30th JANUARY 2016 |
|||||||
1 |
11:30 |
FRANCE |
14-17 |
ENGLAND |
POOL C |
||
2 |
11:52 |
USA |
24-20 |
SAMOA |
POOL C |
||
3 |
12:14 |
ARGENTINA |
19-12 |
WALES |
POOL B |
||
4 |
12:36 |
FIJI |
45-7 |
JAPAN |
POOL B |
||
5 |
12:58 |
KENYA |
31-7 |
CANADA |
POOL D |
||
6 |
13:20 |
AUSTRALIA |
19-12 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL D |
||
7 |
13:42 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
28-5 |
SCOTLAND |
POOL A |
||
8 |
14:04 |
NEW ZEALAND |
38-7 |
RUSSIA |
POOL A |
||
9 |
14:32 |
FRANCE |
28-12 |
SAMOA |
POOL C |
||
10 |
14:54 |
USA |
5-19 |
ENGLAND |
POOL C |
||
11 |
15:16 |
ARGENTINA |
31-14 |
JAPAN |
POOL B |
||
12 |
15:38 |
FIJI |
33-7 |
WALES |
POOL B |
||
13 |
16:00 |
KENYA |
26-5 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL D |
||
14 |
16:22 |
AUSTRALIA |
26-22 |
CANADA |
POOL D |
||
15 |
16:44 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
54-0 |
RUSSIA |
POOL A |
||
16 |
17:06 |
NEW ZEALAND |
27-7 |
SCOTLAND |
POOL A |
||
17 |
17:28 |
ENGLAND |
14-17 |
SAMOA |
POOL C |
||
18 |
17:54 |
FRANCE |
21-29 |
USA |
POOL C |
||
19 |
18:20 |
WALES |
33-28 |
JAPAN |
POOL B |
||
20 |
18:46 |
ARGENTINA |
10-31 |
FIJI |
POOL B |
||
21 |
19:12 |
CANADA |
42-7 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL D |
||
22 |
19:38 |
KENYA |
12-17 |
AUSTRALIA |
POOL D |
||
23 |
20:04 |
SCOTLAND |
19-17 |
RUSSIA |
POOL A |
||
24 |
20:30 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
14-19 |
NEW ZEALAND |
POOL A |
||
SUNDAY 31st JANUARY 2016 |
25 |
11:30 |
SCOTLAND |
29-12 |
PORTUGAL |
BOWL QF |
||
26 |
11:52 |
FRANCE |
14-19 |
JAPAN |
BOWL QF |
||
27 |
12:14 |
CANADA |
35-12 |
RUSSIA |
BOWL QF |
||
28 |
12:36 |
WALES |
24-29 |
SAMOA |
BOWL QF |
||
29 |
13:02 |
NEW ZEALAND |
36-0 |
KENYA |
CUP QF |
||
30 |
13:24 |
ENGLAND |
33-7 |
ARGENTINA |
CUP QF |
||
31 |
13:46 |
AUSTRALIA |
14-26 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
CUP QF |
||
32 |
14:08 |
FIJI |
21-12 |
USA |
CUP QF |
Shield Semi Final (33)
Portugal 17 - 22 France
Shield Semi Final (34)
Russia 17 - 0 Wales
Bowl Semi Final (35)
Scotland 31 - 26 Japan
Bowl Semi Final (36)
Canada 7 - 26 Samoa
Plate Semi Final (37)
Kenya 14 - 35 Argentina
Plate Semi Final (38)
Australia 17 - 5 USA
Cup Semi Final (39)
New Zealand 25 - 5 England
Cup Semi Final (40)
South Africa 31 - 0 Fiji
SHIELD FINAL
FRANCE 14 - 7 Russia
BOWL FINAL
Scotland 7 - 19 SAMOA
PLATE FINAL
Argentina 5 - 21 AUSTRALIA
THIRD PLACE
England 12 - 24 FIJI
CUP FINAL
NEW ZEALAND 24 - 21 South Africa
POOL A |
POOL B |
POOL C |
POOL D |
THE draw for the HSBC Wellington Sevens was made before the Cup final at the second round of the series in Cape Town, with winners South Africa heading Pool A at the Westpac Stadium after a 29-14 over Los Pumas in their home tournament.
Neil Powell's side will come face to face with New Zealand, Scotland and Russia, while the runners-up Argentina compete against series leaders Fiji, Wales and the only non-core side in Wellington Japan.
Having finished third in Cape Town with a last-minute try from Julien Candelon and conversion from Terry Bouhraoua, France will play Mike Friday's USA, England and Samoa.
Benjamin Ayimba's Kenya complete the top four seeds and await Australia, Canada and Portugal.
AHEAD of the HSBC Wellington Sevens the 16 captains joined for the official launch of the third round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series rolls into Wellington this weekend with anything possible after an enthralling opening two rounds to the series.
After Dubai and Cape Town, where eight different teams made the semi-finals and Fiji and South Africa won the Cup tournaments, all eyes are now on the Westpac Stadium this weekend.
South Africa are the form team heading into the tournament having won the second round of the series on home soil in Cape Town, but with New Zealand the defending champions naming a strong squad, Fiji ahead of them in the standing by points difference and the likes of USA, Kenya, Australia, England, France and Argentina all snapping at the heels more thrills and spills are expected.
Philip Snyman, who is captaining the Blitzboks in Kyle Brown's absence and for the first time, said: "It's my first time being captain and I have got some pretty big shoes to fill. We've had some really good preparation since Cape Town and the week so far in Wellington has been good. We're hoping to build on our win from Cape Town and produce some great rugby in Wellington."
England captain Tom Mitchell, who won the Wellington Sevens in 2013 with victory over Kenya, added: "We've had a good run in this week and have been able to relax a bit in Wellington in the build up. We've had a good couple of training sessions and a gym session to get the body going and the atmosphere in the camp is good. It's all about focusing now on the job at hand and we're excited about the challenge ahead."
THE final squads of 12 for the 16 competing teams at the third round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series have been announced. Sonny Bill Williams is set to make his international sevens debut, while Nicolas Bruzzone is set for his 50th cap, and there is a return for Semi Kunatani in Fiji's squad.
With the series continuing after two pulsating events in Dubai and Cape Town in December all 16 teams will be looking to deliver a strong start in the year of rugby sevens' debut at the Olympic Games and less than 200 days until Rio.
Despite a shaky start and heading into their home tournament seventh on the series standings, defending HSBC Wellington Sevens champions New Zealand have named a strong squad even in the absence of the likes of captain Scott Curry and DJ Forbes.
Rugby World Cup 2015 winner Sonny Bill Williams will make his debut, with Rieko and Akira Ioane returning to play in a series event together for the first time and Ardie Savea, brother of Julian, Ben Lam and Kurt Baker are set for their first appearances this season. The All Blacks Sevens head into the tournament having won four of the last five HSBC Wellington Sevens tournaments.
Elsewhere, Semi Kunatani returns to Ben Ryan's series leading Fiji and needs just one try to reach 50, with second place South Africa without the sevens player of the year Werner Kok, captain Kyle Brown, Cecil Afrika and Ryno Benjamin who was injured in training this week.
Kenya are the most experienced side with 316 tournaments and Humphrey Kayange returns to appear in his 60th tournament, just two tries from 150. Biko Adema will make his 50th sevens appearance, as will Argentina's Nicolas Bruzzone. Another milestone to keep an eye on at the weekend is Portugal's Aderito Esteves, who is two tries away from 100.
