Thrilling win for men's sevens team

New Zealand emerged on the right side of a thrilling final pool match against highly-rated Ireland today, winning 14-12 after a stirring fightback.

The New Zealanders went into their final pool match, against the world’s No 2-ranked sevens team, knowing a defeat would mean they had to face Fiji in the quarter-finals. That was a daunting prospect – Fiji have won both Olympic men’s sevens gold medals awarded and have never lost at the Olympics.

As it turned out, New Zealand turned in a Houdini act to overturn a 12-0 halftime deficit to snatch victory in the final minute, meaning they earned a more palatable quarter-final match-up against South Africa.

Ireland, despite blowing a certain try with a knock-on virtually on the New Zealand goal-line, dominated the first spell. Tries to Zac Ward and Jordan Conroy, and a conversion by Mark Roche, set them on the course to a likely victory.

But the New Zealanders showed great spirit in the second half. Leroy Carter scored a runaway try after only 27 seconds and Akuila Rokolisoa added a difficult, and vital, conversion.

New Zealand were forced into grim defence for periods in the second half, but when they finally broke clear with a minute to go, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black dived over for the try and Andrew Knewstubb coolly stepped up to convert it and seal the win.

Coach Tomasi Cama said the halftime message to his troops had been to stay calm and maintain discipline, with too many penalties conceded in the first spell.

 “I was stoked with how the boys responded and adapted,” he said.