WORLD CUP SEVENS: Final four confirmed
SAN FRANCISCO, DAY TWO WRAP: Fiji stormed into the semifinals of the World Cup Sevens on Saturday with a scintillating display as holders New Zealand survived a scare to stumble into the last four.
Olympic champions Fiji underscored their status as tournament favourites with a 43-7 defeat of Argentina to advance into a last four meeting with New Zealand on Sunday.
Here are your Championship semi-final line-ups in the men’s competition on Sunday:@Blitzboks v @EnglandRugby – 12:40pm (GMT-7)@fijirugby v @AllBlacks7s – 13:02pm (GMT-7)
Find out where to watch: https://t.co/gSjXJAsfBy pic.twitter.com/Aj0HMNbwYm
— Rugby World Cup Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
The Fijians had the crowd at San Francisco’s AT&T Park roaring their appreciation with some trademark wizardry as they ran in seven tries against the overwhelmed Pumas.
France-based star Semi Radradra was at the heart of much of the action, jinking and feinting brilliantly to help set up Fiji’s opening score for Kalione Nasoko.
Paula Dranisinukula, Josua Tuisova, Alasio Naduva, Leone Nakarawa and Amenoni Nasilasila (2) were the other scorers.
🎥 Reaction: @fijirugby‘s Leone Nakawara fears no opposition as his side showcased a masterclass of sevens rugby against @unionargentina at #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/kBtB6eW3lL
— Rugby World Cup Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
New Zealand, meanwhile, were anything but impressive as they scraped past France 12-7 to progress.
France, who had upset Australia in the previous round, led 7-0 at half-time against an undisciplined New Zealand side who saw two players sin-binned in the first seven minutes.
The French took the lead when Tavite Veredamu fed Paulin Riva to score near the posts.
New Zealand fought back strongly in the second half though and cut off France’s possession before taking the lead through tries from Kurt Baker and Joe Ravouvou.
🎥 Reaction: @AllBlacks7s Kurt Baker speaks after his teams victory over @FFRugby despite losing 3 players to the bin in the first half at #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/HSfPMBOEmS
— Rugby World Cup Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
In the other half of the draw, England wrecked the United States’ dreams of a fairytale victory on home soil with a thrilling 24-19 win in sudden death extra time.
US captain Madison Hughes delighted the home crowd with an early score to give the hosts the lead but England hit back through two tries from record tryscorer Dan Norton to make it 12-7 at the break.
Oliver Lindsay-Hague then scored straight from the kick-off to stretch England’s lead to 19-7 before the Eagles staged a gutsy fightback.
Folau Niua scored first to make it 19-12, and then Perry Baker jinked over from just outside the 22 to score near the posts and make it 19-19 and send the game to extra-time.
But just when it looked as if momentum had swung to the hosts, England carved out an opportunistic try when England captain Tom Mitchell’s exquisite cross-kick picked out Phil Burgess for the winning score.
🎥 Reaction: Heartbreak for @USARugby as they are narrowly defeated by @EnglandRugby at #RWC7s Madison Hughes credits the incredible support from fans at AT&T Park 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jfhq2RwtAi
— Rugby World Cup Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
England will face top seeds South Africa in the last four after the BlitzBoks trounced Scotland 36-5.
South Africa, who have never won the World Cup, outclassed the Scots with another clinical performance.
Werner Kok started the rout after crashing through two Scottish tackles to open the scoring early in the first half. Kok then capitalised on deft footwork from flyhalf Selvyn Davids to make it 12-0 shortly afterwards.
South Africa added further scores from Justin Geduld (2), Siviwe Soyizwapi and Ruhan Nel to seal an emphatic win.
Men’s tournament:
Day Two Results:
Bowl Quarterfinals:
Tonga 29-33 Chile
Papua New Guinea 19-21 Uruguay
Jamaica 10-24 Hong Kong
Zimbabwe 10-24 Uganda
Challenge Quarterfinals:
Kenya 14-24 Ireland
Canada 35-17 Japan
Australia 41-0 Russia
Wales 24-19 Samoa
Championship Quarterfinals:
Scotland 5-36 South Africa
Argentina 7-43 Fiji
France 7-12 New Zealand
USA 19-24 England
Women’s tournament:
Semifinals:
Australia 12-19 France
New Zealand 26-21 United States
Championship Final:
New Zealand 29-0 France
Bronze Final:
Australia 24-14 United States
Challenge Trophy Final:
England 31-5 Japan
AFP
