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Black And White In Hong Kong

Gordon Tietjens wouldn't say that New Zealand have one hand on the HSBC Sevens World Series trophy but a 29-17 victory over England in Hong Kong probably meant they at least have it at their fingertips.

In front of a packed Hong Kong Stadium, which incidentally really needs to improve its playing surface to stop it chopping up so much, the men in black overcame a scratchy pool effort to edge in front of their rivals.

Frank Halai scored twice and Solomon King, Tim Mikkelson and Tomasi Cama once each as New Zealand lived up to their top seeding and scored their fourth win in a row over England.

"This is special and it hasn't changed winning here over the years," said Tietjens. "It's great if what we have done here tonight can brighten up things for the people of Christchurch back home."

With three tournaments to play, in Adelaide next week, London and Edinburgh, New Zealand have 110 points ahead of England's 105 and it will take a special effort from the men in white to prevent New Zealand's touch becoming a permanent grip.

South Africa won the Plate 26-19 over Australia but couldn't break their duck in Hong Kong, Canada made it back-to-back Bowls with a 33-12 win over Japan and Kenya defeated debutants Spain 17-12 in extra time in the Shield.

New World Shines In Hong Kong Gloom
While the top six maintained their placings the performances of several of the 'fringe' teams against 'core' Series teams was one of the talking points and reinforced the need for the IRB to allow more teams access to the inner sanctum now that Sevens is an Olympic sport.

In typical grey, cold and greasy Hong Kong conditions, Portugal's 12-5 win over France and Russia's 22-5 hammering of Kenya saw them into the Cup round. Portugal also pushed New Zealand to 12-19 in pool play.

Canada beat Argentina, France and Wales to win the Bowl, while their opponents Japan toppled the USA and Scotland in the playoffs.

The long-awaited IRB Sevens Strategic Plan is expected to transition towards contestable core team status for next year which could spell trouble for France (who have won less than 30% of matches this season), Shield winners Kenya and even Argentina, who lost three matches at a tournament for the sixth straight time.

New Zealand Dominate At Both Ends Of Final
New Zealand, fielding six players making their debut in Hong Kong, won their first title at So Kon Po since 2008.

With captain DJ Forbes on the bench with a hamstring injury the hard work was done up front by King (who scored the opening try) and Mikkelson (who saved one by Greg Barden). Mat Turner showed his value scoring England's first in the corner but the tiny winger couldn't prevent his giant opposite number Halai crashing over under the posts.

Leading 12-5 at halftime, Halai galloped away for a second after a turnover at the other end of the field before hobbling off. Veteran Tomasi Cama, who with Toby Arnold controlled the halves, scored New Zealand's fourth although England's endeavour was eventually rewarded as Barden ran in a try under the posts.

Mikkelson stepped up to seal the victory with another long-range try and Dan Norton's score was little consolation for England who have now not won in Hong Kong for five years.

England coach Ben Ryan remaind optimistic despite the result.

"It was a great final and full credit to New Zealand who turned us over on some really key moments," said Ryan. "Maybe on another day we'll beat New Zealand and we are only five points behind so we have Adelaide to look forward to, though we have some tired bodies now."

Close Calls In Cup Playoffs
Both semi finals went to the joint Series leaders by the same score 19-14, New Zealand toppling Fiji and England triumphing in a physical encounter against Samoa.

Tries to Lote Raikabula and Mikkelson in the first half gave New Zealand a 14-0 lead over the 2009 champions. Mikkelson added a second before substitute David Batiratu and co-captain Dale Tonawai got Fiji on the board.

Fiji felt they were cheated by Australian referee Andrew Lees when a late tackle on Nikola Matawalu was not punished and the crowd showed their displeasure booing the Kiwis, or was it the referee, off the field at the end.

Uale Mai, the world's most-capped Sevens player, opened the scoring in the second semi-final but Ben Gollings, a mere two tournaments adrift, levelled things up 7-7 at halftime. Norton put England in front after a sustained period of possession however Alafati Fa'osiliva's try, which was converted by Mai, gave Samoa the lead back 14-12.

England piled on the pressure and Chris Cracknell burst over to steal the victory over the defending champions.

Earlier, New Zealand showed much improvement to beat Portugal 33-5, a day after they left it late to beat the same opponents 19-12, and England beat a determined Russia 10-7 in the quarters.

David Batiratu score in sudden-death extra time for Fiji to beat South Africa in a match where the lead changed four times and Samoa edged Australia 15-12 in a torrid affair in the slippery conditions.

"Russia are a very good side and it was as close as you can get," said Ryan. "We didn't perhaps take the chance to go up more in the first half."

Silverware To Africa and North America
Familiar foes South Africa and Australia battled for the Plate and 16 Series points and two tries to Sibusiso Sithole gave South Africa the 26-19 victory. Captain Kyle Brown suffered a head knock and left the field in the final but is confident of being fit for Adelaide.

"The boys played incredibly well against Fiji in the quarter but the bounce of the ball went against us," said Brown. "Playing Australia is hard and I'm really proud of the boys for working really hard to take home the Plate."

The dual Adelaide winners are looking forward to improved conditions next week.

"The track in Adelaide is incredibly quick so that will suit our faster boiys who will get to use their feet and the skills that they have," said Brown.

South Africa and Australia had burst the bubbles of Portugal and Russia winning 28-5 and 35-12 in their respective semi-finals. 

Canada repeated their success in the Bowl last year to beat a brave Japan 33-12. The only Asian team in the top 16 fronted up in Hong Kong with only 10 players and against the backdrop of the tragic earthquake in the country. Sean Duke scored two of Canada's five tries as they picked up their first points of the season.

Kenya, playing Spain for just the third time in history, got up to win 17-12 in extra time through a try to Sidney Ashioya. Spain, who themselves made the final in the last minute against Zimbabwe, were another of the success stories in their first Hong Kong Sevens.

Cecil Afrika topped the scoring charts with 88 points including eight tries, one more than Norton, Tom Iosefo (Russia), Vladimir Ostroushko (Russia) and debutant Kristian Phillips (Wales). Fa'osilva hoisted 100 career tries for Samoa, finishing with 101.

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HSBC SEVENS WORLD SERIES (after five tournaments)

New Zealand 110
England 105
Fiji 84
Samoa 84
South Africa 72
Australia 46
Argentina 24
Wales 18
Kenya 12
Scotland 8
Portugal 8
Russia 8
USA 6
Canada 5