New Zealand will play Australia in the final of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Sydney tonight after holding off Fiji 14-12 in a tense and at times testy semifinal between the two old rivals.
The match-up against the Aussies brings together two rivals who drew 17-17 in the pool match last night, a controversial game after New Zealand had eight men on the field when scoring in the final seconds. Australia beat South Africa 12-7 in their semifinal, a match in which they might have been considered lucky to make after going deep into injury-time to beat an injury-hit England in their quarter-final.
For New Zealand, it was a penalty awarded to Tim Mikkelson for an attempted turnover in front of his posts with a minute remaining which clinched it, Fiji coming back from a poor first half to dominate after the break.
Kurt Baker ran down the clock, kicked the ball out and then showboated to a sold-out crowd at the Sydney Football Stadium, an unpopular act in front of an audience which was overwhelmingly supporting the Fijians.
In temperatures approaching 30deg, New Zealand effectively paved the way for the win with an excellent first half in which they denied Fiji possession. Ben Lam scored the only try of the half when barging over from an attacking penalty, and the Kiwis began the second half with a breakout try from the remarkable Akira Ioane.
Blues loose forward Ioane, a star for his triumphant team last week in Wellington, took a pass from Mikkelson on his own 22m line, broke through and pushed off Vatemo Ravouvou to go over in a typical display of pace and power.
At 14 points ahead, New Zealand looked comfortable despite being on the wrong side of a lopsided penalty count by referee Rasta Rashivenga, but Fiji replied with tries to IC Katonibau and Vatemo Ravouvou to set up an incredibly tense finish.
Sonny Bill Williams, who started the match, enjoyed some good touches and was in a running battle with Savenaca Rawaca, who was lucky to get away with a swinging arm on the All Black in the first half.
Read more by Patrick McKendry Email Patrick McKendry
