New Zealand falls to Fiji in Hong Kong Sevens

The All Blacks Sevens team lost 19-33 to Fiji in the Cup final of the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday night.

Fiji retained the Hong Kong Sevens title that they won last year by taking a commanding 21-0 lead just before at halftme and holding on to the end.

New Zealand hit back in the second half, but Fiji maintained their super-positive gameplan against the New Zealanders and offered them little chance of a comeback victory.

The win was Fiji's third in four years in the Hong Kong Sevens, and a record-extending 13th in the tournament it prizes above all others.

More importantly, Fiji's third win from six tournaments has seen them leapfrog New Zealand on the standings.

Fiji are now two points behind South Africa in the standings. South Africa are on 110, Fiji 108, New Zealand 107, Australia 84 and England 78, heading into the next leg in Tokyo this coming weekend.

In the final, Fiji scored three consecutive tries, before Taranaki's Beaudine Waaka scored just before the interval. Manawatu's Scott Curry scored early in the second half, but a try to Fiji's Jasa Veremalua extended their lead to 28-12.

Curry crossed for his brace, but Fiji's Domolailai scored to seal the deal.

"That's a great Fijian side," All Black Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens said. "They defended really well and a couple of length-of-the-field tries killed us."

In the Cup semi-finals, New Zealand had pipped Samoa 15-14 and Fiji had edged South Africa 21-15.

Meanwhile, South Africa finished third, overcoming the much-improved Samoa 26-5.

Australia beat USA 21-17 to win the Plate final.

Scotland beat France 26-5 in the Bowl final.

Kenya beat Japan 26-7 in the Shield final.

?

?