Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018: Fiji crash out in San Francisco; New Zealand to play England in Cup final
The dream is over for Gareth Baber’s men after they went down to the All Blacks Sevens at AT&T Park
A star-studded Fiji side was bundled out of the Rugby World Cup Sevens by a determined New Zealand outfit on Monday morning, with Gareth Baber’s men falling 22-17 in a cracking contest.
New Zealand opened the scoring through a try through Joe Ravouvou and Fiji were on the board soon after when Semi Radradra bulldozed his way to the line to give his side a 7-5 lead.
A well-worked Dylan Collier try put the All Blacks Sevens back in front and it was clear that a team that have been below their best in the past couple of years were well and truly up for the fight.
Fiji hit back through Amenoni Nasilasila, who ran on to his own kick in the in-goal area and turned for the posts in a bid for an easier conversion attempt, appearing to touch the dead-ball line with his foot in the process. However, the television match official awarded the try to give Fiji a 12-10 half-time lead.
It mattered little though, with Regan Ware and Ravouvou finding the line after the break to give New Zealand an unassailable 22-12 lead before Alosio Naduva crossed for a consolation try for Fiji.
New Zealand will meet England in the Cup final after they shocked South Africa to win the other semi-final 29-7.
After the Blitzboks took an early 7-0 lead after a try to Selvyn Davids, England exploded with tries to Harry Glover, Tom Mitchell, Ruaridh McConnochie, Oliver Lindsay-Hague and Dan Norton to book their spot in the decider.
