Bronze for All Blacks Sevens in Las Vegas
The All Blacks Sevens have finished third at the HSBC Las Vegas Sevens, beating Argentina in the bronze medal play off 26-19.
Advancing unbeaten through pool play, the All Blacks Sevens were tasked with a tough quarter final assignment against Fiji on Day Two.
The 19-14 victory was built on a solid defensive display, after Kurt Baker scored to put the All Blacks Sevens in the lead, Jona Nareki and Trael Joass combined to win a crucial penalty while defending on their try line.
In a semi-final against hosts, USA, the All Blacks Sevens scored first through co-captain Sione Molia, but the home team were able to claim the win with a try in last play of the game.
It is the third time this season the Americans have had the edge on the All Blacks Sevens in the semi-final stages.
In the Bronze Final against Argentina, Joe Ravouvou opened the scoring but Argentina responded in favour and led 19-7 with just minutes remaining on the clock. Two late tries to Molia secured the win and the crucial World Series standings points.
Molia finished the weekend as the second top try scorer and was named in the tournament ‘Dream Team’.
The All Blacks Sevens now sit second on the Series standings with 93 points, five behind USA who were able to defend their home tournament title with a 27-0 win over Samoa in the Final.
The teams now travel to Vancouver for the Canada Sevens.
All Blacks Sevens’ Akuila Rokolisoa sustained a leg injury on Day Two and will return home to New Zealand. He will be replaced by Andrew Knewstubb who will join the team in Canada this week.
Related Posts
« AUSTRALIA TAKES SEVENTH POSITION AT USA7s Competition Time: »
