24 May 2010

New Zealand sevens team beaten again by Samoa

11:21 am on 24 May 2010

Samoa have extended their lead in the IRB rugby sevens series after a fifth straight defeat of the New Zealanders, but a number of upset results at Twickenham have left the title race very much alive going into the final round in Scotland.

New Zealand were beaten yet again by Samoa 19-10 in the London quarter-finals, but they went on to beat Fiji 26-24 in the Plate final, while Samoa were beaten by South Africa in the Cup semis.

Samoa were beaten in the Cup semi-finals with Australia beating South Africa in the final for their first title in eigth years.

For New Zealand to win a ninth series title, they need to win in Edinburgh this weekend and hope the series leaders Samoa don't make the final.

The New Zealanders are now seven points behind the Samoans in second place in the standings.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens doesn't want to dwell on the dominance Samoa have had over them.

Tietjens doesn't like the word hoodoo but says two crucial errors, an intercept try and a missed lineout, were the difference.

The New Zealand master coach says you can't give a side like Samoa chances like that as they will punish you.