Go Fiji Go. Fiji, NZ, SAfrica, Australia unbeaten in Dubai 7s AP Saturday, December 06, 2014 Update: 11:02AM Sevens rugby world series leader Fiji and defending champion New Zealand reached the Dubai quarterfinals unbeaten on Friday. South Africa and Australia also swept their pools to go into the quarterfinals as favorites on Saturday. It will be Fiji vs. Wales, Australia vs. Scotland, South Africa vs. Argentina, and New Zealand vs. England, a rematch from the series opener at the Gold Coast in October, when England thrashed the Kiwis. Fiji, winner of the Gold Coast title, dispatched France and Brazil, and was pressed by Argentina, which had already qualified. Fernando Luna exploited a Fiji error in front of its posts, scoring a converted try for Argentina to lead 21-19 with four minutes to go. But that was plenty of time, as Semi Kunatani made a big fend en route to a try to regain the lead, and Fiji prevailed 33-21. New Zealand didnt drop a point while also scoring a combined 120 against Japan, Scotland and Samoa. Samoa, the runner-up on the Gold Coast, needed to beat New Zealand for a chance to advance on points difference, but was already three tries down by halftime and lost 41-0. Scotland, which lost to Samoa, advanced instead. South Africa defeated Portugal, Canada, and Wales, the latter by 12-5. Wales, upset by Canada 19-14 in its pool opener, received a lifeline from Portugal, which beat Canada 26-7. That left Wales going into its pool finale knowing it could advance with a loss to South Africa by fewer than 21 points. Wales had beaten South Africa only once. South Africa came from behind, but Wales threatened at least a draw in the dying stages. South Africas defended superbly, especially a Cecil Afrika tackle on Craig Price, who couldnt offload to a teammate outside him. Australia conceded an early Dan Norton try, but tied England by halftime, and won 12-5 with the only try of the second half to win its pool and avoid a resurgent New Zealand. England, meanwhile, face the Kiwis with injury worries, after Dan Bibby joined James Rodwell on the sidelines with an apparent shoulder complaint.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 22:38:46 +0000