New Zealand won the Hong Kong Sevens tournament yesterday to make it five wins from as many tournaments in the current IRB World Sevens campaign.
The 26-12 win over South Africa in yesterday's final extended the Kiwis' winning streak in the series to 42 games, although this was the first time they had won in Hong Kong since 2001.
The win also lengthened New Zealand's lead in series standings to 38 points over South Africa in second and they are all but certain to defend their title.
Lote Raikabula scored the opening try for New Zealand and set up the second for Steven Yates, with Tomasi Cama's conversions pushing the favorites out to an early 14 point advantage.
Mzandile Stick got a reply for South Africa, before Raikabula crossed again, putting New Zealand up 21-7 at halftime.
Zar Lawrence provided New Zealand's unconverted fourth try. South Africa tried, but failed, to break the New Zealand defense until late on when Fabian Juries scored a consolation try for the 'Boks.
New Zealand began the final day by beating Wales 26-7 in the quarter-finals and then trounced traditional sevens power Fiji 34-0 in the semis, with captain D.J. Forbes and Yates both scoring two tries.
South Africa had beaten Australia 19-14 in the quarters and then edged defending Hong Kong tournament champions Samoa 12-10 to book a place in a Hong Kong final for the first time. A drop goal by Lolo Lui looked to have put Samoa into the final again, but South Africa struck with a late try by Stick.
Fiji had beaten Kenya 10-0 to reach the last four, while Samoa downed England 17-12, reversing the result of their pool game on Saturday.
In the plate competition, for those eliminated at the pool stage, France beat Argentina 17-14 in extra time in the final.
It was the first competition win in the current sevens season for the French, who recovered after the ignominy of being held to a draw by hosts Hong Kong on Saturday.
France scored the first two tries of the final, but a second-half try to Gabriel Ascarte saw the match level at full time. In sudden death extra time, Simon Sarthou scored a penalty after only 41 seconds.
In the lesser bowl competition, Russia defeated Zimbabwe 19-14, defending their Hong Kong title.
Zimbabwe took an early advantage with two tries, but Russia rallied and a try to Aleksandr Gvodzdovskiy gave a single competition point to the Russians.
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