Action from the Fiji vs NZ Cup semifinal clash at the Cape Town 7s [Source: World Rugby Sevens]
The Fiji 7s side will not defend their Cape Town 7s title after being outclassed by a smart New Zealand side 24-7 in the Cup semifinal.
Fiji copped two yellow cards to Meli Derenalagi and Paula Dranisinukula which means they now have 12 in 9 games.
Dranisinukula was sent off for a shoulder charge and the All Blacks 7s were awarded a penalty try as a result and the national skipper was also hurt in the process.
?SUPER SESSION?
From 17:30hrs (GMT+2) it’s all about the medal matches.
?France v Canada (women’s)
?France v Fiji (men’s)?Australia v New Zealand (women’s)
?South Africa v New Zealand (men’s)Find out where to watch: https://t.co/SxPbtEAyiB pic.twitter.com/bW4Xc3a7We
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 15, 2019
Fiji played with five players for almost two minutes and Kurt Baker scored New Zealand’s second try as they led 14-0.
Reagan Ware made sure they hit the break with a comfortable lead when he dived over for their third try but a Sevuloni Mocenacagi break resulted in Vilimoni Botitu try which was converted by Napolioni Bolaca.
Scott Curry is a forward.
We repeat. Scott Curry is a forward.
Who kicks like a back. #CapeTown7s pic.twitter.com/kAO34o8afS
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 15, 2019
New Zealand led 19-7 at half time.
Andrew Knewstubb struck first for New Zealand in the second half as they extended their lead to 24-7.
Kurt Baker was later shown a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown and Fiji opted for a scrum but it didn’t work out.
Fiji failed to score while Baker was out for two minutes.
The national side tried too hard but was penalized at times for off-side.
Fiji will now play in the Bronze Final at 4:59am against France.
In another semifinal, South Africa managed to beat a fired-up French side 21-14 in a fast-paced game.
Marvin O’Connor silenced the home crowd with a converted try for France.
But Ruan Nel levelled the scores with a try which was converted before half time.
South Africa are going to the cup final at the #CapeTown7s
Specman and Soyizwapi link up to secure @Blitzboks a spot in a home cup final.#ImpactMoment #DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/796iEF4ODA
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 15, 2019
JC Pretorius made sure the local fans have something to cheer about after half time with a try following some casual play by France for a 14-7 lead.
France looked like the next team to score but Tavite Veredamu lost the ball forward which was later picked up by Rosko Specman who weaved his way through before passing to Siviwe Soyizwapi to finish things off for the Springboks 7s.
The French had the final say with a converted try to Jonathan Laugel but was not enough as the hosts book their spot in the final.
Heading into the final sessions at the #CapeTown7s here are how the @DHLRugby Impact Player tables look for both the men’s and women’s #DHLImpactPlayer pic.twitter.com/oTdaWgV3hE
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 15, 2019
It will be a repeat of the Dubai 7s final when New Zealand face South Africa in the Cup final at 5:56am today.
MATCH | TIME | TEAM 1 | SCORE | TEAM 2 | POOL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SATURDAY | 14 DECEMBER | ||||
M1 | 3:37AM | Australia | 21 - 26 | Ireland | Pool D |
M2 | 3:59AM | Samoa | 19 - 24 | Kenya | Pool D |
M3 | 4:21AM | France | 40 - 7 | Spain | Pool C |
M4 | 4:43AM | England | 24 - 26 | Scotland | Pool C |
M5 | 5:35AM | Argentina | 33 - 21 | Canada | Pool B |
M6 | 6:05AM | New Zealand | 43 - 7 | Wales | Pool B |
M7 | 6:35AM | USA | 14 - 28 | Fiji | Pool A |
M8 | 7:03AM | South Africa | 47 - 0 | Japan | Pool A |
M9 | 9:57PM | Australia | 7 - 12 | Kenya | Pool D |
M10 | 10:19PM | Samoa | 14 - 28 | Ireland | Pool D |
M11 | 11:01PM | France | 24 - 19 | Scotland | Pool C |
M12 | 11:23PM | England | 33 - 7 | Spain | Pool C |
M13 | 11:45PM | Argentina | 45 - 0 | Wales | Pool B |
SUNDAY | 15 DECEMBER | ||||
M14 | 12:07AM | New Zealand | 33 - 5 | Canada | Pool B |
M15 | 12:29AM | USA | 42 - 0 | Japan | Pool A |
M16 | 12:51AM | South Africa | 26 - 14 | Fiji | Pool A |
M17 | 3:47AM | Ireland | 24 - 24 | Kenya | Pool D |
M18 | 4:09AM | Samoa | 14 - 24 | Australia | Pool D |
M19 | 4:51AM | Spain | 19 - 22 | Scotland | Pool C |
M20 | 5:13AM | England | 12 - 33 | France | Pool C |
M21 | 5:35AM | Canada | 17 - 14 | Wales | Pool B |
M22 | 6:05AM | New Zealand | 19- 14 | Argentina | Pool B |
M23 | 6:35AM | Fiji | 54 - 7 | Japan | Pool A |
M24 | 7:03AM | South Africa | 21 -15 | USA | Pool A |
M25 | 10:18PM | South Africa | 17 - 5 | Kenya | Cup Quarterfinal |
M26 | 10:40PM | France | 19 - 10 | Argentina | Cup Quarterfinal |
M27 | 11:02PM | Ireland | 12 - 31 | Fiji | Cup Quarterfinal |
M28 | 11:24PM | New Zealand | 35 - 19 | Scotland | Cup Quarterfinal |
MONDAY | 16 DECEMBER | ||||
M29 | 1:39AM | South Africa | 21 - 14 | France | Cup Semifinal |
M30 | 2:01AM | Fiji | 7 - 24 | New Zealand | Cup Semifinal |
M31 | 2:48AM | Wales | 15 - 19 | Japan | 15th Place Play-off |
M32 | 3:10AM | Samoa | 38 - 7 | Spain | 13th Place Play-off |
M33 | 3:32AM | Australia | 5 - 22 | Canada | 11th Place Play-off |
M34 | 3:54AM | USA | 17 - 12 | England | 9th Place Play-off |
M35 | 4:59AM | France | 29 - 24 | Fiji | Bronze Final |
M36 | 5:56AM | South Africa | 5 - 7 | New Zealand | Cup Final |