It's Aussies v Fiji in Vegas Final
Australia advanced to the Final after a dramatic penalty try awarded in referee's additional time, after South African playmaker Rosco Spekman was issued a second yellow card in the game (which became a red) – allowing the Aussies to win 14-12.
Fiji also had to work hard for their 21-14 win.
In the first of the Cup semifinals Fiji took the lead inside the first minute, after Jasa Veremalua sprinted over. The Americans soon levelled through Dan Barrett. However the Pacific Islanders took a 14-7 into the break after Vatemo Ravouvou crossed for his country's second try.
It became a bit spiteful after the break, but it was Fiji who scored first in the second half when they pounced on an American mistake and Pio Tuwai went over. In the windy conditions handling became ever more difficult and the Yanks struggled to get back into the game.
There was consolation try for Perry Baker, but time was up and the Fijians reached yet another Cup Final – winning 21-14.
The early exchanges of the second Cup semifinal was marked by a string of breakdown penalties against South Africa, as the teams looked to stamp their authority on the game. It was the BlitzBoks who broke the deadlock and a penalty against the Aussies was taken quickly and Seabelo Senatla set free on he left wing for try two minutes before the break.
The score stayed unchanged to the break, 5-0 to South Africa – despite the flow of penalties now having gone against the Aussies..
South Africa's solid defence and powerful breakdown play continued to trouble the Aussies, but a contentious no-arms tackle call against Rosco Spekman gave the Aussies a penalty try and Spekman spent two minutes in the sin bin.
The penalties continued to mount against the Aussies and Quade Cooper was eventually sent to the bin for two minutes for repeatedly executing high tackles. Kyle Brown then burrowed his way over from close range after a sublime chip-kick.
With time up on the clock Australia had one last throw of the dice and a penalty try for a high tackle by Spekman – and a second yellow card which became a red card – saw the Aussies sneak a dramatic 14-12 win.
The Plate semifinals also produced a couple of controversial calls – most notably in New Zealand's sudden-death, extra-time win over Argentina. Apart from the lottery that the breakdowns turned into, there was a questionmark over one of the passes in the lead-up to the Kiwis' match-winning try by Danny Barrett.
However, as they say in the classics, the referee's call is final and the record books will reflect that New Zealand beat Argentina 24-19.
The Kiwis will play Japan in the Plate Final, after the Japanese beat Kenya 19-14 in an equally tense encounter – where the lead also changed hands several times.
In the Bowl semifinals Wales will play France. Kristian Phillips gathered a deft chip kick ahead and raced in unopposed to help Wales to a 21-14 win over Scotland. Russia put in some superb goalline defence in stoppage time, but France eventually got quick ruck ball and Arthur Retiere wriggled over in the corner for his second and the match-winning try in a 15-14 win by the French.
Canada will play Samoa in the Shield Final, after Canada beat England 24-7 and Samoa edged Portugal 14-29.
All the semifinal results!
Cup semifinals:
Results:
United States 14-21 Fiji
South Africa 12-14 Australia
Plate semifinals:
Results:
Kenya 14-19 Japan
New Zealand 24-19 Argentina (extra time – 19-all after regulation time)
Bowl semifinals:
Results:
Russia 14-15 France
Wales 21-14 Scotland
Shield semifinals:
Results
Canada 24-7 England
Portugal 14-29 Samoa
Source: WorldRugby7s
