New Zealand have suffered an extra-time 17-12 loss to Samoa in the Tokyo Sevens.
Alatasi Tupou won the match for Samoa with a try only seconds into extra-time, after New Zealand dramatically fought back with only seconds remaining in normal time.
Gordon Tietjens' men badly missed playmaker Tomasi Cama, who was ruled out with a leg injury suffered in the 40-5 quarter-final victory over Argentina but they showed admirable resolve in fighting back from 12-0 down against Samoa.
Uale Mai scored the opener following a strong run by Paul Perez, and Alafoti Faosiliva scored the second off a high kick.
Joe Webber struck back for New Zealand but Mark Jackman's missed conversion attempt, which hit a post, would prove costly.
Jackman scored with only 20 seconds remaining and converted to draw the scores level before Tupou's heartbreaker for New Zealand.
Samoa will face Australia in the final.
