Lote Raikabula. Photo by AP.
New Zealand continued its undefeated
domination of rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games, securing
its fourth consecutive title with late tries from D.J. Forbes
and Kurt Baker, capping a 24-17 comeback win over
Australia.
New Zealand has not lost a match since winning the first
Commonwealth Games sevens tournament at Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, in 1998, then subsequent events at Manchester,
England in 2002 and Melbourne, Australia in 2006.
The Australians led for most of the second half in the final
but Forbes put the New Zealanders ahead with a try inside the
last four minutes. Baker crossed in the last minute to extend
the winning margin.
In the bronze medal match, Isoa Damudamu scored the winning
try with just over a minute left as South Africa beat England
17-14.
Samoa, the 2010 IRB sevens champions, was knocked out in the
quarterfinals by England but the Pacific Islanders stepped up
in the Plate Final for fifth place, swamping Scotland 34-0.
Mikaele Pesamino and Afa Aiono scored two tries each for
Samoa.
Papua New Guinea beat Canada 17-10 in the Bowl Final for
seventh place.
Lote Raikabula opened the scoring for New Zealand in the
fifth minute on a converted try that appeared to come off a
ball that moved forward from a knock-on. With New Zealand's
Liam Messam off for two minutes and with a yellow card for a
high tackle, Lachie Turner scored Australia's first try two
minutes later.
Luke Monaghan regathered after a 40-meter kick and chase to
put Australia 10-7 with no time left on the clock in the
first half. James Stannard put Australia up 17-7 but Sherwin
Stowers' try with six minutes pulled New Zealand to 17-14 and
the New Zealanders added two more tries.
Before the final, Forbes said a recent close encounter with
his razor has given him some extra strength.
"It's a tradition for me to shave it now and again," Forbes
said of his bald head. "It's not superstitious, it's a bit
like the old Spartan days of going in to battle. I guess it
makes me feel fresh and a bit aerodynamic on the field."
Earlier Greg Barden scored a first-half try and Ben Gollings
converted as 2006 silver medalist England edged the Samoans
7-5 in the quarterfinals. Barden's try came two minutes after
Alatasi Tupou gave Samoa the lead with a try before a
boisterous crowd at Delhi University spurred on by a
Conquistador-style trumpet recording.
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