![LV= Cup [Anglo-Welsh]](images/LV Cup 2011 SB.jpg)
HONG KONG 7s 2015
DAY 3
FIJI were outstanding in beating defending champions New Zealand 33-19, their second consecutive Cup final win, at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, round six of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS
The win puts them just two points behind South Africa (110) in the overall series standings and one point ahead of third-placed New Zealand (107), with Australia (84) and England (78) rounding out the top five as the race for Olympic qualification continues.
"This victory is certainly up there," Fiji's coach Ben Ryan, who won his first-ever Hong Kong title, said.
"Outstanding performance by the team, they controlled the game really well tactically. Our bench were magnificent. We've spent a lot of time of defence and it's starting to pay dividends."
Fiji started brightly with tries to Savenaca Rawaca and Jerry Tuwai to race to a 14-0 lead. Rawaca's second, against the run of play, extended the lead to 21-0 before Beaudine Waaka scored in the corner right on the break.
Sherwin Stowers created space for Scott Curry to cross adjacent to the posts to get his side back in the game at 21-12 but Jasa Veremalua responded immediately for the Pacific islanders. The All Black Sevens fought back again with Curry picking up his second after good lead up work from Sam Dickson but Fiji's Apisai Domolailai extended the lead again to put the result beyond doubt with less than a minute to play.
Earlier, South Africa beat Samoa 26-5 in the play-off for third place, picking up 17 valuable points to maintain their place at the top of the overall series standings.
In the Cup semi-final, Jerry Tuwai broke free to score Fiji's first followed by tries to Semi Kunatani and Pio Tuwai. Frankie Horne, Cecil Afrika and Seabelo Senatla hit back with tries for the Blitzboks in the second half to reduce the lead to 21-15 as the match went down to the wire.
Sir Gordon Tietjens' side scored a late penalty drop-goal from Joe Webber to secure a 15-14 victory over Samoa to set up a repeat of the USA Sevens final.
Scott Curry and Sherwin Stowers capitalised for a 12-0 half-time lead before Samoa struck back on the resumption of play with Lafaele Vaa breaking free of the All Blacks Sevens defence before Samoa Taloa gave his side a 14-12 lead. Curry gave Webber the ball once a penalty had been won to secure the defending champions' place in the final.
"The boys were really blowing and there was only a minute left so we took the shot," said Curry.
"Now we owe Fiji one from Vegas and hopefully the boys can get up for the final here in Hong Kong."
Earlier Fiji took an unexpected 7-5 lead into the break after England had the run of play in the first half. Jerry Tuwai scored for Fiji on the stroke of half-time after England's Phil Burgess crossed out-wide earlier. In the second half Samisoni Viriviri was awarded a penalty-try just after the break, extending their lead to 14-5 before Dan Norton scored late to set up a tense final minute.
The All Blacks Sevens proved too strong for Argentina running out 31-21 winners. First half tries to Beaudine Waaka and Scott Curry set New Zealand on the path to the semis, a Santiago Alvarez try keeping Argentina within reach 14-7 at the break. The All Black Sevens took control in the second half with tries to Sherwin Stowers, a neat-stepping Joe Webber and Jordan Bunce. Alex Muller and Rodrigo Etchart replying late for Los Pumas.
AUSTRALIA DEFEAT USA IN PLATE FINAL
Australia beat the USA 21-17, collecting their second consecutive win in a Plate final and valuable Series points. Breakaway tries from the USA's Andrew Durutalo and speedster Perry Baker gave the Eagles a 12-7 lead at half-time after Australia's Allan Fa'alava'au had earlier dashed to the try-line unopposed. But tries to Shannon Walker and Cameron Clark looked to have wrapped up the victory for Geraint John's side.
Unlucky not to pull off an upset over Fiji in the Cup quarters, England also suffered defeat to Australia as both sides battled it out for fourth place in the Series.
Captain Ed Jenkins scored twice as Australia recorded a 12-7 win over Simon Amor's side to face USA in the final, which means they will extend their lead over England in fourth place. The USA beat Argentina 28-14 thanks to tries from Danny Barrett, Maka Unufe, Perry Baker and Zack Test.
SCOTLAN
D CONVINCING WINNERS IN BOWL FINAL
Both teams impressed on day three but it was Scotland prevailing 26-5 in the final against France, posting first points through James Johnstone before Virimi Vakatawa reduced the margin to two points at the break. Two tries to Colin Gregor and Johnstone's second sealing the win for Callum MacRae's men.
"We worked hard to win the breakdown and have played smarter, and won three on day three," said Scotland captain Scott Riddell. "We need the belief in ourselves, the performance is there. We need to be more consistent and keep bringing it game after game."
France score six tries to three in defeating Canada 38-19 on their way to the Bowl final, Pierre Gilles Lakafia scoring a hat-trick as Les Bleus worked their way back into the match from 7-0 down. Liam Underwood one of Canada's best scored a brace but it was not enough for Liam Middleton's side.
KENYA TAKE SHIELD OVER BRAVE BLOSSOMS
Kenya proved too strong for Japan, winning 26-7 and scoring four tries to one in the Shield final. After trading first-half tries courtesy of Collins Injera, who became the all-time leading try scorer in Hong Kong on 26, and Katsuyuki Sakai, a brace from Billy Odhiambo and a late Leonard Mugaisi try gave the Africans the ascendency.
Captain Andrew Amonde hopes to build on this Shield success next weekend in Tokyo: "We needed a morale-boosting victory and we are happy to win the Shield. It's been a tough weekend for us but this will give us confidence ahead of Tokyo next weekend."
Kenya scored three unanswered tries on their way to the Shield final with a 21-0 win over Portugal while Japan were too strong for Belgium 42-7, Brave Blossoms playmaker Lomano Lemeki scoring two tries in an emphatic win.
RUSSIA QUALIFY FOR WORLD SERIES IN DRAMATIC FASHION
RUSSIA beat Zimbabwe 22-19 to win the World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier, a victory which leads Andrey Sorokin's side to become one of the 15 core sides on next year's series.
Starting with 12 regional qualifiers - two from each World Rugby region - Russia won all six of their matches to earn their place as an ever-present team on the 2015-16 Series replacing the bottom-ranked of the 15 current core teams at the end of the current series.
In the final it was Russia's Vladimir Ostroushko scoring the decisive try on the siren after Kuda Chiwanza looked to have secured a win for Zimbabwe moments earlier.
"It means a lot to us," said an emotional Russian captain Dmitriy Perov.
"It allows our players to play more valuable games and gain experience and the win will be a motivation for the younger players too. Also a win like this will attract the fans and those involved with our sport, showing them we can win competitions and get to the World Series."
ZIMBABWE UPSET SPAIN ON WAY TO FINAL
Russia dominated PNG in the quarter-finals with tries to Yury Gostyuzhev and Ilya Babaev giving the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 hosts a 12-7 lead at the break. Ostroushko, who was named in the qualifier dream team, powered his way past several defenders to score midway through the second half before a Vladislav Sozonov try put the icing on Russia's 26-7 win and set up a final with Zimbabwe.
Trailing 7-0 after Spain's Cesar Sempere posted first points Zimbabwe responded with three unanswered tries to Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Stephan Hunduza and Boyd Rouse for a 19-7 lead at half-time. Ignacioa Martin gave the Spaniards a glimmer of hope with a try to reduce the margin to five but Kilvan Magunje showed a clean pair of heels to extend the lead to 24-14, presenting the Africans with their first-ever win in a Series event over Spain.
The result also prevented Spain from immediately returning to the series after they were replaced by Japan last year having been relegated at the end of the season.
DAY 2
HSBC Sevens World Series leaders South Africa and Fiji were the only sides to maintain 100 per cent records during pool play as they booked their places in the Cup quarter-finals in style at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, round six of the Series.
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS
Having never won the Hong Kong title, the Blitzboks produced a confident day two performance with Seabelo Senatla picking up a hat-trick as they defeated France 29-7 after earlier accounting for Japan 27-0 in front of 39,098 fans at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Neil Powell's side will face Australia in the quarter-finals while Fiji, who beat Belgium 38-7 and Canada 45-0 on day two, await England.
The USA and England, both having already qualified for the quarters, played out a highly entertaining draw in their final Pool D match. Maka Unafe and Jeff Williams picked up doubles for their respective sides but Mike Friday's men topped the pool on points differential and meet Samoa.
New Zealand fought back from their earlier setback, a surprise 24-24 draw with Portugal, with a tenacious 14-5 win over Australia to top Pool B thanks to two tries from 18-year-old Rieko Ioane and Los Pumas' will be their opponents on day three.
POOL A
1 
2 
3 
4 
Impressive 38-12 first-up winners over Samoa, Fiji kept their title challenge on track with a 45-0 win over Canada and a comprehensive 38-7 defeat of Belgium with two tries from Vatemo Ravouvou. Samoa secured second place in the pool by recording wins over Belgium 29-5 and Canada 24-19 after Liam Middleton's men defeated a gallant Belgium 28-12, with the European side making their first appearance on the Series.
POOL B
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2 
3 
4 
Controlling all the early possession and territory Rieko Ioane scored the only try of the first half as the All Black Sevens took a 7-0 lead into the break over Australia. Ioane's second gave New Zealand the edge in a tight encounter before Jesse Parahi crossed for a consolation try for Geraint John's men.
Scotland defeated Portugal 14-12, denying the Portuguese the opportunity to advance to the knockout stage after they caused the first shock of the tournament with a 24-24 draw with New Zealand after trailing 17-7 at half-time and 24-19 with just minutes to play. David Mateus, Carl Murray and Aderito Esteves starring for the Portuguese as they recorded their first-ever tournament points against the All Black Sevens with Nunu Guedes scoring the last try in the match.
Earlier, New Zealand defeated Scotland 21-7 after former Sevens Players of the Year DJ Forbes and Tim Mikkelson scored for Sir Gordon Tietjens' side. Australia followed up their 33-5 defeat of Portugal on day one with a dominant 21-5 display over Scotland, Pama Fou and Con Foley crossing for first half tries.
POOL C
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2 
3 
4 
After their 24-0 loss at the hands of South Africa on day one, Los Pumas looked more composed early against France racing to a 19-0 half-time lead with tries to Santiago Alvarez, German Schulz and Alex Muller. Alvarez's second extended the lead to 26-0 before France's lone try to Virimi Vakatawa. Trailing 7-0 against Japan in their final pool match, Argentina clawed their way to a win scoring three tries to one in the second half through Muller, Schulz and Rodrigo Etchart.
POOL D
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2 
3 
4 
With a quarter-final berth already secured England and the USA were looking for bragging rights ahead of the quarters. USA's Perry Baker strolled over for the easiest of tries after picking the ball up from the back of the ruck to lead 7-0. England hit back immediately through Williams. Both sides traded five-pointers through Unufe and Tom Mitchell to go into the break 14-14. Unufe and Williams picked up their second as the scores were locked at 21-21.
Earlier, Simon Amor's side followed up their first-up 26-19 win over Wales by defeating Kenya 17-7 after leading 10-0 at half-time through tries to Tom Bowen and James Rodwell. Collins Injera reduced the margin to three just after the break before Phil Burgess crossed for the match winner.
A brace to captain Madison Hughes and hat-trick to Zack Test got the USA off to a flyer on day two, defeating Wales 40-12 in a record margin for the USA over the Welsh. The Eagles got off to an impressive start in contrast to day one where they fought back from 14-0 at half-time to beat Kenya 21-14.
HONG KONG KNOCKED OUT OF QUALIFIER EVENT AS SEMIS DECIDED
In the World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier, PNG's Wesley Vali scored a hat-trick to book their place in the semi-finals and they will face Russia on day three.
Russia beat Hong Kong 24-0 as the hosts suffered another heartbreaking defeat in the qualifier competition for the fourth year in a row. In the second semi-final Zimbabwe, who beat Rio Olympic hosts Brazil 21-14, await last year's relegated core side Spain after they inflicted a 47-7 defeat on Korea.
Starting with 12 regional qualifiers - two from each World Rugby region - the final four are competing for a place as an ever-present team on the 2015-16 Series with the winner of the qualifier replacing the bottom-ranked of the 15 current core teams at the end of the current series.
DAY 1
TWENTY-EIGHT teams took to the field on the opening day of the three-day Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, with the event celebrating its 40th anniversary, in front of 38,642 fans as 12 teams joined the main Series competition in the World Series qualifier.
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS
Cecil Afrika, Seabelo Senatla, Kwagga Smith and Werner Kok scored tries for the Blitzboks, who have never won the Hong Kong title, as they beat Argentina 24-0, while former Sevens Players of the Year DJ Forbes and Tim Mikkelson scored for Sir Gordon Tietjens' side in a 21-7 win over Scotland.
Fiji and Australia also impressed in their first outing, beating Samoa and Portugal respectively, ensuring the top four teams in the overall standings got off to a solid start at the 40th anniversary edition of the Hong Kong Sevens.
Belgium, who were making their series debut, put up a gallant fight going in down 28-12 to Canada, while the USA fought back from 14-0 down at half-time against Kenya to win 21-14 after Make Unufe, Carlin Isles and Danny Barrett scored unanswered tries in the second half. England and France also recorded wins on day one.
"It's been a tremendous opening day and the action has lived up to the billing at this historic 40th Hong Kong Sevens," said World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper.
"All of the 28 competing teams have impressed and the fans have been treated to some exceptional sevens, and it is only going to get better from here."
The Hong Kong event is set to break its own previous broadcast record this weekend too with the 40th Hong Kong Sevens showing a staggering 347 hours live and delayed around the globe.
WORLD SERIES QUALIFIER OPENS UP IN DRAMATIC FASHION
Uruguay, Russia, PNG, Spain and Zimbabwe all maintained 100 per cent records after the opening pool matches on day one of the World Rugby Sevens Series qualifiers.
Twelve regional qualifiers - two from each World Rugby region - are competing for a place as an ever-present team on the 2015-16 Series with the winner of the qualifier replacing the bottom-ranked of the 15 current core teams at the end of the current series.
In a closely contested Pool E, Brazil upset tournament hosts Hong Kong 17-12 before suffering a 14-7 defeat at the hands of Uruguay. Los Teros had earlier accounted for Mexico 21-0, leaving them top of the pool. Hong Kong hit back late in the day with a 38-5 win over Mexico to keep their quest on home soil alive with two tries from captain Jamie Hood assisting in the win.
In Pool F, PNG had a convincing 19-0 win over Tunisia before defeating a fast finishing Korea 21-19 in a highly entertaining match, while Russia's clean slate included a seven-point win over Korea and a dominant 26-5 win over a gallant Tunisia.
Zimbabwe and Spain both recorded impressive wins over Tonga and Guyana in Pool G, to secure their place in the quarter-finals and will meet tomorrow for bragging rights at the top of their pool.
RESULTS
POOL A |
POOL B |
POOL C |
POOL D |
POOL E |
POOL F |
POOL G |
SUNDAY 29th MARCH 2015
Shield Semi Final
Kenya 21 - 0 Portugal
Shield Semi Final
Belgium 7 - 42 Japan
Bowl Semi Final
Canada 19 - 38 France
Bowl Semi Final
Wales 0- 34 Scotland
Plate Semi Final
England 7 - 12 Australia
Plate Semi Final
United States 28 - 14 Argentina
Cup Semi Final
Fiji 21 - 15 South Africa
Cup Semi Final
Samoa 14 - 15 New Zealand
SHIELD FINAL
KENYA 26 - Japan
BOWL FINAL
France 5 - 26 SCOTLAND
PLATE FINAL
AUSTRALIA 21 - 17 United States
THIRD PLACE
SOUTH AFRICA 26 - 5 Samoa
CUP FINAL
FIJI 33 - 19 New Zealand
FRIDAY 27th MARCH 2015
1. |
ENGLAND |
26 - 19 |
WALES |
POOL D |
||
2. |
FRANCE |
24 - 7 |
JAPAN |
POOL C |
||
3. |
AUSTRALIA |
33 - 5 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL B |
||
4. |
CANADA |
28 - 12 |
BELGIUM |
POOL A |
||
5. |
UNITED STATES |
21 - 14 |
KENYA |
POOL D |
||
6. |
SOUTH AFRICA |
24 - 0 |
ARGENTINA |
POOL C |
||
7. |
NEW ZEALAND |
26 - 7 |
SCOTLAND |
POOL B |
||
8. |
FIJI |
38 - 12 |
SAMOA |
POOL A |
||
9. |
ENGLAND |
17 - 7 |
KENYA |
POOL D |
||
10. |
UNITED STATES |
40 - 12 |
WALES |
POOL D |
||
11. |
FRANCE |
5 - 26 |
ARGENTINA |
POOL C |
||
12. |
SOUTH AFRICA |
27 - 0 |
JAPAN |
POOL C |
||
13. |
AUSTRALIA |
21 - 5 |
SCOTLAND |
POOL B |
||
14. |
NEW ZEALAND |
24 - 24 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL B |
||
15. |
CANADA |
19 - 24 |
SAMOA |
POOL A |
||
16. |
FIJI |
38 - 7 |
BELGIUM |
POOL A |
SATURDAY 28th MARCH 2015
17. |
KENYA |
12 - 19 |
WALES |
POOL D |
||
18. |
ARGENTINA |
19 - 14 |
JAPAN |
POOL C |
||
19. |
SCOTLAND |
14 - 12 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL B |
||
20. |
SAMOA |
29 - 5 |
BELGIUM |
POOL A |
||
21. |
UNITED STATES |
21 - 21 |
ENGLAND |
POOL D |
||
22. |
SOUTH AFRICA |
29 - 7 |
FRANCE |
POOL C |
||
23. |
NEW ZEALAND |
14 - 5 |
AUSTRALIA |
POOL B |
||
24. |
FIJI |
45 - 0 |
CANADA |
POOL A |
||
25. |
CANADA |
21 - 10 |
KENYA |
BOWL QF |
||
26. |
FRANCE |
26 - 14 |
PORTUGAL |
BOWL QF |
||
27. |
WALES |
38 - 7 |
BELGIUM |
BOWL QF |
||
28. |
SCOTLAND |
28 - 7 |
JAPAN |
BOWL QF |
||
29. |
FIJI |
14 - 12 |
ENGLAND |
CUP QF |
||
30. |
SOUTH AFRICA |
7 - 5 |
AUSTRALIA |
CUP QF |
||
31. |
UNITED STATES |
15 - 26 |
SAMOA |
CUP QF |
||
32. |
NEW ZEALAND |
31 - 21 |
ARGENTINA |
CUP QF |
WORLD SERIES QUALIFYING
1. |
ZIMBABWE |
36 - 0 |
GUYANA |
POOL G |
||
2. |
SPAIN |
27 - 5 |
TONGA |
POOL G |
||
3. |
PNG |
19 - 0 |
TUNISIA |
POOL F |
||
4. |
RUSSIA |
14 - 7 |
KOREA |
POOL F |
||
5. |
URUGUAY |
21 - 0 |
MEXICO |
POOL E |
||
6. |
HONG KONG |
12 - 17 |
BRAZIL |
POOL E |
||
7. |
ZIMBABWE |
41 - 0 |
TONGA |
POOL G |
||
8. |
SPAIN |
50 - 5 |
GUYANA |
POOL G |
||
9. |
PNG |
21 - 19 |
KOREA |
POOL F |
||
10. |
RUSSIA |
26 - 5 |
TUNISIA |
POOL F |
||
11. |
URUGUAY |
14 - 7 |
BRAZIL |
POOL E |
||
12. |
HONG KONG |
38 - 5 |
MEXICO |
POOL E |
||
13. |
TONGA |
36 - 24 |
GUYANA |
POOL G |
||
14. |
KOREA |
21 - 7 |
TUNISIA |
POOL F |
||
15. |
BRAZIL |
33 - 10 |
MEXICO |
POOL E |
||
16. |
SPAIN |
10 - 0 |
ZIMBABWE |
POOL G |
||
17. |
RUSSIA |
17 - 26 |
PNG |
POOL F |
||
18. |
HONG KONG |
19 - 7 |
URUGUAY |
POOL E |
||
19. |
PNG |
38 - 10 |
URUGUAY |
QF |
||
20. |
HONG KONG |
0 - 24 |
RUSSIA |
QF |
||
21. |
ZIMBABWE |
21 - 14 |
BRAZIL |
QF |
||
22. |
SPAIN |
47 - 7 |
KOREA |
QF |
||
23. |
PNG |
7 - 26 |
RUSSIA |
SF |
||
24. |
ZIMBABWE |
24 - 14 |
SPAIN |
SF |
||
25. |
RUSSIA |
22 - 19 |
ZIMBABWE |
FINAL |
SCHEDULE & STANDINGS
