SYDNEY SEVENS: Fiji edge New Zealand in thriller
The win means Fiji will face the USA in the Cup quarterfinals, while New Zealand will face Australia.
The BlitzBoks finished on top of their pool after a big win over England. The BlitzBoks will face Kenya in the Cup quarterfinals, while England will take on Argentina.
Your cup quarter finalists for the #Sydney7s pic.twitter.com/NZ1wIO8mtu
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 27, 2018
Pool A:
(New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Russia)
In a thrilling encounter, it was New Zealand who opened the scoring in their clash with Fiji.
However, New Zealand's lead would not last long as Fiji scored two excellent tries to lead 14-5 before Regan Ware got New Zealand back into it with a try just before half-time.
In an energy-sapping second half, it was New Zealand who regained the lead with a try in the 10th minute.
All New Zealand had to do was hold onto the ball in the final seconds of the match, but they failed to do that.
From a set piece deep inside their own half, Fiji launched a sweeping attack before the ball eventually reached Josua Vakurunabili who crashed through New Zeland's defence to run in for a try and seal a 19-17 win for Fiji.
Samoa and Russia were desperate for a win after a couple of thrashings at the hands of Fiji and New Zealand.
Samoa looked in control in the first half when they raced to a 14-0 lead before Russia got a try before the break.
It was more of the same in the second half when Samoa scored another two tries with Russia getting a consolation try before the end. Samoa won 26-12.
Results:
New Zealand 17-19 Fiji
Samoa 26-12 Russia
New Zealand 31-0 Samoa
Fiji 24-0 Russia
New Zealand 61-0 Russia
Fiji 31-5 Samoa
Pool B:
(Argentina, France, Wales, Kenya)
Wales made a good start in their match against Kenya when they scored a try in the opening minute.
However, it was all Kenya for the rest of the first half as they ran in three tries to lead 19-7 at the break.
Both sides crossed the whitewash once in the second half with Kenya walking away with a 26-12 win.
The match between France and Argentina was an arm wrestle. However, the South Americans had enough in the tank to complete a clean sweep in Pool B.
Argentina opened the scoring before France hit back to level matters.
It was France who would have the final say in the half when they scored a second try to go into the break 12-7 ahead.
Argentina once again levelled matters with a try in the third minute in the second half before they scored a another a minute and a half before the end to secure a 19-12 victory.
Results:
Argentina 19-12 France
Wales 12-26 Kenya
Argentina 28-21 Wales
France 14-17 Kenya
Argentina 7-5 Kenya
France 31-12 Wales
Pool C:
(South Africa, England, Spain, Papua New Guinea)
In the battle between the minnows, it was Papua New Guinea who came out on top against Spain in dramatic fashion.
Spain led 12-7 at half-time after outscoring their opponents by two tries to one.
Spain looked to be on course for the win when they opened the scoring in the second half. However, PNG staged a fightback by scoring two tries in the final minutes to take the spoils.
In the big match in Pool C, the BlitzBoks were too strong for rivals England.
After England opened the scoring, the BlitzBoks levelled matters with a Seabelo Senatla try.
Tries from Cecil Afrika and Justin Geduld put the BlitzBoks further in front before half-time with England struggling to cope with their opponents' pace.
The BlitzBoks increased their lead with another Geduld try in the second half.
Dan Bibby gave the English some hope with a score, but the BlitzBoks were too far ahead and Senatla wrapped up the game with a try before the end.
Results:
South Africa 33-12 England
Spain 17-21 Papua New Guinea
South Africa 38-0 Spain
England 35-5 Papua New Guinea
South Africa 50-0 Papua New Guinea
England 22-10 Spain
Pool D:
(Canada, USA, Australia, Scotland)
Scotland gave hosts Australia a big scare in their final Pool D match.
Australia dominated the first half by scoring three tries to just the one from Scotland to lead 17-7 at half-time.
Scotland were a different team in the second half when they scored two tries in the opening minutes to take the lead.
However, it was Australia who would have the final say when they scored the crucial try in the final minute to win 24-21.
Meanwhile, Perry Baker showed why he was crowned the World Sevens Player of the Year when he ran in four tries in the USA's 40-19 win over Canada in the day's final match.
In total, the USA scored six tries in the victory, while Canada crossed the whitewash three times.
Results:
Canada 19-40 USA
Australia 24-21 Scotland
Canada 5-27 Australia
USA 26-12 Scotland
Canada 5-52 Scotland
USA 19-26 Australia
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