Monday, February 13, 2012
Samoa beat New Zealand in dramatic Vegas Sevens final
Samoa beat New Zealand 26-19 in a dramatic USA Sevens Final in Las Vegas, claiming their first tournament win of the season. Today we've got highlights for you from every day of the tournament, with some of the best tries, as well as some great tackles.
New Zealand aimed to pick up their third series win in a row but were undone by the mighty Alafoti Faosiliva with time up as the sides were tied 19-19. The huge man scored twice, with his second proving to be the winner for the Samoans, who had a huge amount of support in Vegas.
"It has been a long time and these boys have been working so hard, and I couldn't stop a tear or two rolling down my cheeks," said Samoa's coach Stephen Betham. "The boys really deserve it and they owe it to the people back home and the fans here in Vegas. It has been a long time since our last Cup victory," he added, referring to their last series win back in December 2010.
They have moved up to fifth spot on the overall standings, while New Zealand's final placing puts them five points clear of Fiji at the top, on 92 points.
"Samoa deserved it, they came at us. We had a chance to win it, but it's the team that makes the least errors that wins," said New Zealand captain DJ Forbes. "But still disappointing, you have to be hurting getting that far and tripping up, but Samoa played well."
South Africa and Fiji met for the third place playoff and it was the Fijians that won the game 21-15. Kenya won the Plate after beating Argentina 21-7, while Canada beat Australia 19-17 for the Bowl.
Below are highlights from throughout the tournament, including the final, in three short videos
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Posted in Sevens
Viewing 15 comments
ruckinmaul February 13, 2012 12:48 pm
stroudos February 13, 2012 2:40 pm
1:50 Who the hell does France #4 think he's talking to? Should've been yellow-carded for that sort of ref abuse. No idea what he said - looked like he was claiming he held the ball up(?), well if he did I reckon that's offset by the fact he tackled the Wales player by his neck.
1:58 - jesus, how quick is that Kenyan?!?
stroudos February 13, 2012 2:51 pm
1:48 - unbelievably poor defence by England!
2:35 - bosh- sit down. Bit unnecessary, but amusing!
stroudos February 13, 2012 3:03 pm
0:53- Moonwalk!
1:28 & 1:32 - Bosh. Two very strong candidates in quick succession for that long-overdue try-savers & rib-breakers update!! That second one is the type of tackle that should only be visited on a fellow Pacific Islander - I reckon players of most other genetic pools would have been literally sliced in half by that!
Rich_W February 13, 2012 10:53 pm
Whatever he was thinking, this combined with the ref abuse. The guy is a prize muppet.
Also those hits in Fiji v Samoa are enormous!!
Colombes February 13, 2012 5:28 pm
he was yelling "it's always the même (instead of "same") movie, because he thought he held the ball up
he's an ex XV scrum-half, and every french 9 is big mouth ;)
beenie February 16, 2012 4:17 pm
Generalissimo February 13, 2012 2:54 pm
The Green Mafia February 13, 2012 4:23 pm
I love how anything can happen in sevens. The 6th placed side winning a major tournament, minnow sides (like my Portugal) beating established powers... Everyone has a shot in 7s, you just have to want it bad enough
UHtiger February 13, 2012 11:54 pm
Reality February 14, 2012 12:47 am
Suntzu February 13, 2012 7:05 pm
Sankeor February 13, 2012 7:13 pm
Kiwijay February 14, 2012 4:38 pm
Stubby February 14, 2012 5:13 pm
Well done.
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