New Zealand's reward for completing pool play unbeaten at
Adelaide's leg of the International Rugby Board's sevens world
series is a quarterfinal with recent nemesis Samoa.
New Zealand claimed top spot in pool A by thrashing Argentina
47-7 in their final group match at the Adelaide Oval but now
have to beat the side that dented their ambitions in
Wellington and Las Vegas to remain in contention for the Cup
title tomorrow.
Samoa appeared on course to rule pool B but a try after the
hooter by South Africa's Frankie Horne and a wonky angled
conversion from Cecil Afrika salvaged a 12-all draw and
enabled the defending champions to finish first on points
differential.
Samoa has emerged as New Zealand's biggest threat since
knocking their hosts out at the semifinal stage in Wellington
before shading them in the Las Vegas final.
New Zealand made short work of the South Americans by racing
out to a 35-0 lead at halftime.
Save Tokula made an immediate impact on his belated
introduction, marking his return from a four-game suspension
imposed in Las Vegas by setting up the opening minute score
for Kurt Baker before powering to his own double.
Tim Mikkelson, Tomasi Cama, Toby Arnold and Leka Tupuola also
dotted down before New Zealand conceded their first points of
the tournament - in the final minute - when Joaquim Tuculet
converted his own try.
Earlier, New Zealand blanked Tonga 26-0 to add to last
night's 31-0 drubbing of Scotland.
The other quarterfinals see South Africa play Argentina while
Wales face the United States and Fiji - upset by Wales last
night - have drawn Australia after beating Kenya 21-7 in
their must-win clash in pool C.
New Zealand 47 (Save Tokula 2, Kurt Baker, Tim Mikkelson,
Tomasi Cama, Toby Arnold, Leka Tupuola tries; Cama 6 con)
Argentina 7 (Joaquim Tuculet try con) Halftime: 35-0
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