International Rugby Sevens Adelaide – Semi final results

Defending Series Champions New Zealand will play South Africa in the final of the Fairmont Homes International Rugby Sevens at Adelaide Oval later today.

South Africa is now all that stands between New Zealand and their eighth iRB Sevens World Series crown.

Meanwhile, Australia’s tournament has been ended at the hands of Tonga in the Plate semi final 21-7.

Cup

A late Zar Lawrence try has helped New Zealand beat 2007 Adelaide Champions Fiji in the Cup semi final, 17-14.

Down 14-10 in the final minute an exhausted New Zealand team looked out of the contest, however Lawrence summoned enough energy to shrug off a Fijian defender and stretch out to score.

However, the Fijians can count themselves desperately unlucky not to be in the final after dominating most of the match against the Series Champions.

In the other semi final South Africa needed extra time to overcome Samoa 17-12.

Locked 12-12 at full time, Fabian Juries chipped and regathered to score under the posts and set up a replay of the Hong Kong Sevens final from last weekend against New Zealand.

Cup Semi results

New Zealand 17 defeated Fiji 14

South Africa 17 defeated Samoa 12

Cup Final matchup

New Zealand v South Africa

Plate

Australia’s involvement in the tournament is now over after they were defeated 21-7 by Tonga in the Plate semi finals.

Two tries to Vaea Poteki gave the Tongans a 14-7 half time lead and a Teu Nafe try in the second half ended the host nation’s hopes.

Peter Owens was the Australian tryscorer.

Kenya gave their many fans in the Chappell Stands at Adelaide Oval more to cheer as they overcame a gallant Cook Islands 26-14 in the other Plate semi final.

Ina  polished display the Kenyans ran in two tries in each half to see off their opposition.

Although the Cook Islands will leave Adelaide having recorded their best performance in an iRB Sevens World Series event.

Plate Semi Final results

Tonga 21 defeated Australia 7

Kenya 26 defeated Cook Islands 14

Plate Final matchup

Tonga v Kenya

Bowl

In the first Bowl semi final, Argentina defeated France 24-12.

France led early after Patrick Bosque scored, but the South Americans hit back with three tries to take a 19-5 lead. France’s Eddy Labarthe narrowed the margin, but to no avail as veteran Sevens specialist Santiago Gomez Cora regathered his own kick and streaked away to score another try for Argentina.

In the second Bowl semi, USA downed Scotland 29-14 to set up a meeting with Argentina in the Bowl final.

Leading 10-7 at half time the Americans stepped up a gear in the second stanza, scoring three tries in five minutes.

Bowl Semi final results

Argentina 24 defeated France 12

USA 29 defeated Scotland 14

Bowl final matchup

Argentina v USA

Shield

In the Shield Canada defeated Japan with a try in extra time 24-19, although the Japanese will rue a missed conversion from right in front of the posts that would have won the game at the end of normal time.

England’s horror run continued as Wales scored a try on full time to oust the English from the tournament without a single victory.

Wales’ James Lewis stormed on to a chip kick and out-paced English captain Andy Vilk to win the contest at the death 19-14.

Shield Semi Final results

Wales 19 defeated England 14

Canada 24 defeated Japan 19

Shield Final matchup

Canada v Wales

For all Fairmont Home International Rugby Sevens Adelaide match results go to:

http://aru.rugby.com.au/fixtures_results/adelaide_sevens/live_scoring__match_stats,79549.html