New Zealand became kings of Hong Kong on Sunday as they beat England 29-17 in the Cup final at Hong Kong Stadium in the IRB World Series Sevens. This video shows their progress to the final, as well as one or two other nice tries.
The tournament proved to be a success once again as rugby, drinking, music, and dancing were all on the menu, not to mention fancy-dress. Capacity crowds of 40 000 people over the three days enjoyed the best of the international rugby circuit, with a few surprise packages.
In the end it was New Zealand who marched through to the final after some closely contested games, with their semi-final against Fiji particularly tricky. In the final they faced England who had beaten reigning champs Samoa in their semi.
The New Zealand team led by seven points at half time and from then on, they were too good as their speed and fitness showed in some extraordinarily long passages of open field play. The win has them now sitting pretty at the top of the World Series table, five points clear of England.
“Sevens is what is going to open rugby up to the world,” said Jonah Lomu.
“It is going to go right through Asia, because it is a more level playing field than playing 15-a-side. Trying to explain to somebody the appeal of the sport, I would say come to the Sevens. You have the fastest players on the planet and the strongest players on the planet.”
The series moves to Adelaide next weekend, before moving to England and Scotland in May.
Time:
03:57
Note:
With thanks to the IRB
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