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New Zealand hang on to claim Vancouver Sevens title as hosts Canada surprise to finish third
By Online Editors
The All Blacks Sevens have hung on in a tightly-contested final to dispatch trans-Tasman rivals Australia and claim the Vancouver Sevens in Canada.
The 17-14 victory didn't come easily for New Zealand, who have now extended their lead at the top of the World Sevens Series standings to 11 points.
A late yellow card to veteran Sam Dickson meant the Kiwis had to final the clash with just six men, but two earlier sin bins to Australian duo Maurice Longbottom and Lachie Miller proved to be too much for the runners-up to overcome.
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Demoted to five men for a short period in the second half, the Australians couldn't hold out what eventuated to be the tournament-sealing try to Joe Ravouvou in the 10th minute as he strolled over the line in the left-hand corner unopposed.
His try was one of two that New Zealand nabbed to secure a second half comeback after Andrew Knewstubb fooled the opposition defence from close range with a sharp dummy to score near the posts.
Those two scores helped overturn a 14-5 half-time deficit as a pair of converted tries to Longbottom and Lachie Anderson offset Ravouvou's first try in the opening half.
The tournament title is New Zealand's third this season after having claimed winners' medals in Cape Town and Hamilton.
Subsequently, a gap has opened up between them and the second-placed South Africa, who were stunned by a rampant Canadian side who beat the Bitzboks in front of their home fans in the bronze final, their first win over the South Africans in sevens years.
Canada went into the contest as the surprise package of the tournament after having defeated Fiji, Wales and France to top Pool B and then beating Spain in the quarter-finals to qualify for a rare Cup semi-final berth.
Despite being beaten 19-14 by Australia in the final four showdown, the hosts bounced back to run four tries past South Africa to chalk up a 26-19 win, which sent the home crowd into raptures once the referee blew his full-time whistle.
The defeat leaves South Africa on 104 World Series points, while New Zealand remain at the summit of the standings with 115 points to their name.
Australia, meanwhile, have leapfrogged France and England to move into fourth place, where they lie just two points shy of Fiji.
The next World Sevens Series tournament is scheduled to take place in London on May 23-24.
World Sevens Series Standings
1 - New Zealand (115 pts)
2 - South Africa (104)
3 - Fiji (83)
4 - Australia (81)
5 - England (77)
6 - France (74)
7 - USA (72)
8 - Canada (57)
9 - Argentina (56)
10 - Ireland (49)
11 - Scotland (37)
12 - Kenya (35)
13 - Samoa (33)
14 - Spain (33)
15 - Wales (13)
16 - Japan (10)*
17 - South Korea (1)*
* denotes non-core series member
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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