Live Text Commentary
2010 NZI Sevens, Wellington - Day 2

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com
Follow on Twitter: @UR7sLiveText

21:42

What a two days. This really is one of the IRB Sevens' best events. Huge crowds, amazing colour, incredible Rugby and the most sublime fancy dress I have seen since i've been doing these gigs. Just the small matter of Vegas next week?! City of Sin here I come!
See you all there and thanks for following. Full summary of the day to come on UR7s.

21:39

Reaction from Nigel Starmer-Smith: Fiji were brilliant with their giant forwards and flying backs impossible to play against at times. They are only four points behind New Zealand, it's wide open:

21:33

This is the IRB table as it stands:

NEW ZEALAND - 64
FIJI- 60
SAMOA- 46
ENGLAND -44
AUSTRALIA- 30
KENYA- 28
SOUTH AFRICA- 24
ARGENTINA-12
WALEs- 12
CANADA- 6

21:24

Vag Matimo, Fiji:

Go Fiji go!!

Will, Wellington:

I'll be dancing in the street of Wellington later, great stuff from Fiji! The IRB Sevens is ours for the taking. I hope we win in Vegas!

21:15

What a game to finish on. Fair play to Fiji who were awesome all today. That dodgy Kolinisau try might grate with the Samoans though. I'll have to look at it again as it might have gone off his belly. The race for the IRB Sevens is back on!,What a game to finish on. Fair play to Fiji who were awesome all today. That dodgy Kolinisau try might grate with the Samoans though. I'll have to look at it again as it might have gone off his belly. The race for the IRB Sevens is back on!

21:14

Cup Final – Samoa v Fiji

Early penalty from Fiji and they capitalise with a flashing Kolinisau break who magnificently offloads to Lutumailagi for an early 7-0 lead. Samoa Pesamino nudges ahead and jostles past Bole to win the race and make this a 7-7 show. Vucago spots no sweeper for Samoa and kicks through but gets done for not letting him up. Samoa work their way up the field with some more penalties but don’t quite have the composure to strike a blow. Let’s take a break.

The Fijian skipper Vucago is having a little blinder he takes a short ball off Lutumailagi and races in under the H. 14-7 to Fiji. Mai is darting and ducking for Samoa and they almost score but it eventually gets coughed up and Fiji survive. Brilliant impishness from Ryder reversing passing it away from contact, the crowd love it. It goes wide to Kolinisau who chips ahead and scores. But wait replays suggest he actually knocked on. Try still given 19-7. Samoa strike back with Otto’s break and Pesamino’s second. 19-14. The Samoans press looking for the winner but they spill it and the hooter goes...FIJI win in Wellington!

Result: Samoa 14 – Fiji 19

20:43

Right the big one!! I'm pumped i don't know about you guys? Fiji/Samoa. They met in the final here back in 2007 with Samoa taking it by three. These two hate losing to each other and had a tasty 12-12 draw in Dubai before Christmas. I've got to go with Fiji such is the confidence they have emitted today. Big bruisers up front and a splurge of gas around the paddock. Samoa captain Lolo Lui did get suspended for the high shot. Big call and could prove decisive. Take it away boys.

20:37

Belting game that, Aussies great comeback and that will give them some real confidence. They just need to match this next week in Vegas with some consistency. South Africa understandably gutted. Horrid day for them with two painful losses. It's just not happening for them this year. Again a lack of pace seemed to cost them that game. ACDC Thunderstruck accompanies the Aussies up to pick up their medals. The French are still dancing around on the edge of the ground?! Move on chaps..

20:33

Plate Final - Australia v South Africa

Ideal start for Blitzbokke as hard direct approach combined with pinpoint passing puts Minaar in for a 5-0 lead. Captain for South Africa, Mzwandile Stick, doubles that lead a minute letter tapping quickly and cutting his man for a score under the H. That’s suicidal rugby from Australia as they throw a loose ball that Benjamin picks up on. 17-0 to SA. Aussies reply with the slick dummy of Stannard allowing him to go in. 17-5.

Boks get turn over and a little snipe from Stannard makes room for Foley to go in from 40 and he puts the big Southern-Hemisphere try dive celebration. Poor tackling that from SA. 17-14 to Boks still. Aussies take the lead! Sitauti races on the outside again exposing the lack of pace in this SA team. What a comeback. 21-17 to OZ. Now it’s Stick for SA chipping Stannard and winning the race to touchdown. 22-21. Seesaw! Sills is on and he races after a chip forward to score what could be a decisive try. 26-22 to OZ. They take the Plate!

Result: Australia 26 – South Africa 22

20:13

A re-run of the Dubai Plate final with Australia and South Africa taking to the field. Australia won that day but South Africa, the reigning IRB champs, are slowly showing some decentish form at last. Think they will do the business here but question marks remain long term on their offensive capabilities. They really need the likes of Dazel back. 12 IRB Sevens points up for grabs.

20:07

The rules are when Wales win a trophy the Sevens DJ wherever he is around the world will play ‘Delilah’. Some Black Eyed Peas comes on and the Welsh are jiving about and the crowd love it. Not as much as Kenya’s Haka/Dance earlier. This stadium is rocking. I love my job.

20:04

News Flash : Samoa's Lolo Lui has been cited for a high tackle earlier on in the semi-final against New Zealand. He got yellowed for it and i personally didn't think it was that bad. Samoa need him for the final...badly. Will keep you updated on the status on that one.

20:02

Bowl Final – Wales v France

France get an early score but Wales hit back and start to press. But they can’t get across the whitewash. Groves thinks he is in but he’s called back by ref Fraser. He’s in a bit later though slipping his marker to give Wales 7-5 lead following the extras. France hold firm though, they are so often bullied by their opponents it is actually nice to see them stand up for themselves. Drinks.

France caged in on their 22 but make some yardage but spill an easy ball and coach Janeczek would be pulling his hair out if the bloke had any. Wales controlling the football and patiently keep knocking on this Gallic wall. Not much going on here guys, pretty disjointed and the crowd have give up a bit. Daniel thinks he is but is scragged. And that’s how it ended. Not a great spectacle but another Bowl for Wales.

Result: Wales 7 – France 5

19:46

Can Wales win their third successive Bowl this season? Their mantelpiece wills be overflowing with them at this rate. Tipuric (swinging arm) will sit this one out for being a naughty boy against Argentina earlier today.

19:42

Shield Update: USA takes home the Shield with a 17-14 win over Tonga. Key men Emerick, Hawkins, and Edwards ties proved the difference. Tonga's scores came from Iongi and Maafu. They are delighted about that and rather predictably Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the USA' blares out across the Cake-Tin.

19:32

Some twitter action from England coach Ben Ryan:

@benjaminryan: 'Lost 19-28 to Fiji. Tries by wade, gollings and turner. Samoa beat Nz in other semi. Had plenty of chances but not enough patience.'

19:09

So there we have it...the 2010 NZI Sevens title in Wellington wil be decided by Samoa and Fiji in Islands special. Crowd a little deflated after the home teams exit but they will get back into things later I'm sure. I need to catch my breath!

Keep the emails coming in to livetext@ur7s.com

Terry, Wellington:

Go Fiji, great to see back in this. Shame about New Zealand but it opens the Series up nicely!

18:59:

Cup SF - England v Fiji

England catch Fiji cold with an early score first try through speedster Christian Wade. They weren’t expecting that. Gollings coverts. Boom! Fiji Skipper Emosi Vucago fending off Gollings and its locked at 7-7. Seremaia Burotu, really is unit, and he barrels over to give Fiji the lead. Osea Kolinisau, has really been a standout man this weekend, he accelerates away and it is 21-7 at the break.

Ben Ryan’s words seemed to have worked and England came back strongly with Turner again surprising a far too relaxed Fijian defense. Converted by Gollings and it is a 21-14 game. On comes Ryder, for his usual 3 minute cameo, and he finishes off a sweeping move and that could Fiji in the final. 28-19. Gollings scampers up the shirt side to close the gap but it’s all too late. Fiji v Samoa for the big one later.

Result: England 19 Fiji 28
 

18:51

Defending champions England tackle Fiji in what’s going to be another epic I feel. Fiji’s power up front is their major weapon and with stupidly quick guys like Beci and Kolinisau England have so much to worry about. Tough to see past the Fijians but look what happened in the previous game. The guys working for a bookie next to me just told me some dude just put $50,000 on a Fiji win here. Ludicrous!

18:38

The IRB Sevens truely does amaze me sometimes. The Kiwis were cruising for a third successive IRB win this season, but they were dominated then by a rampaging Samoa. They can just turn it on like that out of no-where. Who will meet them in the final? England or Fiji?

18:36

Cup SF – New Zealand v Samoa

Samoa make inroads and that’s a rarity – a missed NZ tackle – gifting Uale Mai an early try for 5-0. It’s all Samoa now with the Kiwis flooded by waves of attack and intense physicality. Careless kick by Samoa gifts the ball back to NZ and Mikkelson gets it and puts the accelerator down. Cama nails a solid conversion and its 7-5! NZ hold out from a couple of Samoa attacks and that’s the half.

Stowers goes lateral looking for an opening, pops to Raikabula...but it’s read by Pesamino who races in for a 50m intercept. 12-7 to Samoa. All Samoa here as they get attacking scrums and then a penalty, surely it is try time – yes the legend that is Uale Mai wriggles over from close range. 17-7 to Samoa, big problems for NZ. OMG this is awesome stuff. Lui scythes the Kiwis apart and pops to Mai for his hat-trick! 24-7 to Samoa. Lui is binned but it won’t make a difference. Baker grabs a consolation for NZ but that’s it! New Zealand go out!

Result: New Zealand 14 – Samoa 24

18:23

Back to the Cup and the crowd going wild for our first semi-final between New Zealand and Samoa. Can the hosts and favourites be stopped? It’s going to take something special from Stephen Bethan’s Samoa for that to happen. These two met in the final of Dubai in December with the Kiwis taking that one comfortably. They key to this is simple. Can the Samoan breakdown this incredible defence? Big pressure on the home team with the crowd pleading them on. Kiwis by one try is my bet (I don’t know what I’m talking about FYI).

18:09

Plate Update: Kenya’s run is over, they never looked at the races going down to Australia 26-17. Clinton Sills enjoyed some game-time and grabbed two tries with Karauria-Henry and Foley also scoring. The Cannuks from Canada had their run ended by Paul Treu’s Boks 29-5. Frankie Horne’s double was good enough for SA to set up a meeting with the Aussies later!

18:04

Jan, USA:

Bet the atmosphere is building nicely?! Wellington Sevens most crazy Rugby party in the world Robin?

Got to be up there Jan, it needs to be seen to be believed! We've just had a helicopter fly onto the pitch dropping off some dancers?! I mean, that's just ridiculous. Crowd going mental!

17:57

Meet the New Zealand team – Zar Lawrence: Along with DJ Forbes a true Sevens legend having been on the scene for many years now. Overcame the death of his little brother in the middle of of last year's Hong Kong Sevens and played on showing incredible courage. His fav book is Asterik and Obelix (very underrated) and loves listening to team-mate Toby Arnold's 'Country Classics'. He also says 'bro'..alot. UR7s salutes you Zar.

17:45

Bowl Update: Wales nudged past Argentina thanks to some a golden-try in extra time (17-12) with Darren Daniel grabbing a brace. Nieu's fine run today ended thanks to a much improved France, 26-12. It's the first time Thierry Janeczech's side have reached a final this season.

17:06

Just had an arrest below me in the Press Centre. A Banana, Orange and Tomato caused some mischief and were given their marching orders by the cops. Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and some other Jedi's offered their support to the Police (who at first I thought were guys in costumes) but that went down like a pooh sarnie.

Where's Stumpy? (remember he's my man in the crowd in Hong Kong and Dubai). He would eat this atmosphere up! 'Bad to the Bone' blares out as a Mexico Wave does the rounds.

17:00

Shield Update: Waisale Serevi's PNG team are headed home after losing out in their clash with Tonga, 26-12. Siaosi Iongi's double made the difference. Also heading home is Scotland, who lost out to a stunning late USA try by Nick Edwards (19-12). The Scots only manged the one win this week and their poor run this year continues.

16:08

Meet the New Zealand team – Tomasi Cama: Tomasi's dad (also called Tomasi Cama..Snr?) was himself a Fijian Sevens legend scoring that famous try in Hong Kong all those years ago. His earliest memory is playing in bare feet on the beach back on the islands. He supports Chelsea FC and regards Christian Cullen as his fav all round player. He loves a bit of Sean Connery...who doesn't?

16:02

My walk to the stadium this morning was a sight. A couple of people in costums sleeping rough from last night, hungover souls scoffing down some brunch, filling up for today's festivities. Some costumes poking fun at Tiger Woods' infedility have been spotted today along with Gladiators, freaky clowns, and the usual Fred Flintstones. Some of the TV guys here in the press centre have come dressed as Ozzie Osbourne today...'SHARON!'. I might sniff around for a costume as i'm feeling a tad left out here.

15:56

Willy, Suva Fiji:

Fiji is the only side who can beat New Zealand, our pace can hurt them. England are going to beat given a lesson!

Allan, Cape Town:

Up late here and gutted about the Boks. Fiji have our number. C'mon Samoa, give the Kiwis a fright!

15:50

I want to hear from you...!

 

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com

Follow on Twitter: @UR7sLiveText

15:49

Some of the other fixtures to come here in Wellington:

Shield SF: Papua New Guinea v Tonga
Shield SF: USA v Scotland

Bowl SF: Wales v Argentina
Bowl SF: France v Nieu

Plate SF: Australia v Kenya
Plate SF: Canada v South Africa

15:47

Cople of monster games Cup semi-finals later:

New Zealand v Samoa
England v Fiji

Bring it on!

15:40

Cup QF – Fiji v SA

South Africa winning the early exchanges here but like yesterdays match v NZ they can’t break down their opposition. They get a couple of penalties but Afrika dithers and again it’s all a bit structured and predictable. Slow ball at the breakdown and from no-where Kolinisau pinches it and goes 80m evading Hunt’s despairing dive. 7-0. It’s only one try but that will really hurt South Africa. Can Paul Treu inspire them at half-time beverages?

SA just can’t physically match the Fijians and resorting to 50:50 kicks here they give it away and an auspicious pass on his own line by Ryder creates a Fijian breakout. Cakau gallops on breaks a takle with Beci screaming up on his inside 14-0. Back comes the Boks with Du Preez’s cunning feet allowing him to score in the corner. 14-5 to Fiji. Fiji just too big and too quick with Burotu’s swotting off Stick with ridiculous ease. 21-5. Fiji to meet England.

Result: Fiji 21 – South Africa 5

15:31

So England will meet the winner of Fiji/South Africa. The Boks must be getting sick of the sight of Fiji in the Cup quarter-finals - this is the third time they have met here this season with the Fijians taking it both times. But Paul Treu was in reflective mood yesterday and is happy with their progress. Their playmaker Cecil Afrika is a key man. He does some very good things but his decision making is a bit frazzled sometimes. Fiji’s pace and power up front with their strength in depth (Ryder is benched) says everything.

15:18

Cup QF – England v Canada

Canada camp themselves in England’s half but some sloppy handling and a few iffy calls from ref Mike Fraser doesn’t help their cause here. England looking a bit nervy and I don’t think they have crossed the half-way yet with 5 minutes gone. Finally some points. Abbott sucks a couple in upfront and gives it to Dan Caprice for a 7-0 lead at the break. In the balance this one. Does Canada have the belief?

Early breakout for the English and it’s 29 year old Gollings (I thought older, no offense Ben) who canters in . He’s at it again moments later shaking of a Canadian tackle to give England a very healthy 19-0 lead. That could be it. England running things and Matt Turner, who is starting really blossom, goes blind sneakily. Gollings has nailed every conversion. 24-0. Wade pulls the Canadians one way they switch the play with Caprice teeing up Turner.

Result: England 31 – Canada 0

15:06

So it’s a New Zealand/Samoa semi-final. Now for the other half of the draw and England take on Canada. Ben Ryan’s England who lost captain Kev Barrett to injury yesterday have a golden chance of making the semi-finals here and edge that much nearer to defending their title here. Change of formation for the English with Gollings going to scrum-half, and Norton on the wing. No-one really talking up their chances today which could work in their favour. If Canada get anything from this it will be the biggest shock of the season.

14:55

Cup QF – Samoa v Kenya

Kenya looking the more busy here and Samoa looking flat as I was worried about. Good work from Weru is finished off by Nyikuli for a rare try and then moments later is Odour taking advantage of a loose ball for 12-0. Scrappy last couple of minutes here with Kenya holding firm and Samoa lacking rhythm. Time for fluids and some inspirational words.

Next points are crucial for Samoa and they get them. Excellent work from the veteran Mai who gets a beauty of an offload to his mate Lui. 12-7 to Kenya. Samoa take control. Mikaele breaks through and he may be over the line but flings a risky one inside for Lui so they can get it under the sticks. Samoa up 14-12. Kenya find themselves boxed in and the clock is not on their side. They just haven’t had much ball to in this set of 7. Samoa goes through!

Result: Samoa 14 – Kenya 12

14:50

Samoa/Kenya. I can’t pick this one. The heads to heads doesn’t fare kindly for the Africans with the islanders picking 15 of their 18 IRB encounters. But times change and Kenya have won the previous two meetings. It all depends on Samoa’s start to the match. If they get score first it seems to give them confidence, but if they don’t they seem to go into their shells. The crowd loving Kenya’s Shuuja as always here – can Benny Ayimba’s side give them a treat? Winner to face New Zealand.

14:35

Cup QF – New Zealand v Australia

First blood to the Men in Black with Stowers in lime green boots busting a gut with an 80m carry, he’s hauled down but flips it back for Zar Lawrence to hoover for 7-0. Stowers looking good here, he spies a hole puts he foot down and despite Sefanaia’s attentions has to the momentum for 12-0. Aussies get a and strike back with Pat McCutcheon evading Lawrence. But NZ have the final word of the half with a turnover and Bandaged Raikabula – the converted hooker – evading an airy fairy Aussie tackle.

Aussies start well by pinning the hosts back, a tactic that worked q.well for South Africa yesterday. They work some widths until Bernard Foley comes from depth to lacerate the black wall and go in under the H. 19-12 still to NZ. No panic for Titch’s boys though as the Kiwis through Tim Mikkelson regains the two try buffer. 24-12. Oz’s Phipps is binned for naughtiness at the breakdown and NZ go through.

Result: New Zealand 24 – Australia 12

14:28

So first look at the big boys stuff with the Cup quarter-finals. New Zealand/Australia. These Trans-Tasman games have been pretty one-sided in the past few years and you would be a brave man to put much $$$ on Mick O’Connor’s youngsters here?

"I've never seen defence like it to be fair. I've coached this team for a long, long time and that was one of the most defensive displays I've had from any of my sides," said the New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens yesterday.
I hear ACDC – Back in Black...it’s game time.

14:13

Bowl Update: Right quick update from the Bowl with Wales beating the Puk-Puks from Papua New Guinea 31-12. Argentina's Pumas eventually rolled over Tonga 17-7, with French getting the better of USA 21-10. Big shock already today with Nieu beating Scotland 17-12.

14:06

Weather Updates : FYI it's an absolute belter here today. Factor 20 stuff in Wellington, cloudless but a bit sticky for Sevens. For a supporters point of view it's tough conditions to cope with a heaving hangover with many of the 30,000 expected today going L.A.R.G.E yesterday

14:01

Just shared a sarnie and some brownies with a few of the TV commentary boys, who can only really see Fiji taking down New Zealand today. The problem is no matter how much ball you starve the Kiwis of, their defense just doesn't want to concede many tries. Fiji's power and pace up front might be the key to that problem?

13:58

Here are the latest odds...

4/5 on - New Zealand, favourites
7/4 - Fiji
8/1 - England
9/1 - Samoa
14/1 - South Africa
25/1 - Kenya
80/1 - Australia
200/1 - Canada

13:51

Big surprise yesterday was Canada's very raw youngsters shocking everyone by making today's main draw last eight. Here is some reaction from their coach Morgan Williams.

"To come out and to beat two core sides, a side like Argentina and then France as well, for these guys.. the youth that we have right now is phenomenal. They're on a high, it's something that we've never really experienced like this before and hopefully it's just going to get better." he told the IRB.

Along with Taylor Paris who is only 17-years of age, the Canadian are littered with Under-20s. It's just awesome to see kids go ut and give it a go on a major Sevens stage - what it is all about. They again have nothing to lose today but England have got to fancy knocking them over...

13:23

After yesterday's Pool play it's time for the serious stuff with today's knockouts. Hosts New Zealand are lining up a third successive tournament win this season, with the likes of Fiji, England, Samoa, and South Africa tugging at their coattails.

Here is the Cup quarter-final line-up:

New Zealand v Australia
Samoa v Kenya
England v Canada
Fiji v South Africa

13:16

Top of the morning to you Live Text lurvers! How are we all? I'm back at the Westpac Stadium here in Wellington for day 2 of the NZI Sevens - part of the IRB Sevens World Series.
Archive