12 Sep 2022

New Zealand beaten in sevens finals

9:07 am on 12 September 2022

New Zealand has been beaten in both the women's and men's finals at the Rugby Sevens World Cup in Cape Town.

Sarah Hirini of New Zealand Black Ferns Sevens

Sarah Hirini Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Black Ferns Sevens were beaten 24-22 by Australia, while the men were beaten 29-12 by Fiji.

New Zealand opened the scoring before Australia bounced back to score a couple of their own and take a 12-10 half time lead.

Australia extended their lead to 24-10 before New Zealand fought their way back into the game.

The Black Ferns had the chance to move the game into extra time, but Alena Saili's try after the hooter wasn't converted.

Coach Cory Sweeney admits they didn't start well.

"They (Australia) got a couple of early turnovers which led to tries, we went fishing (for turnovers) in a couple of rucks which we shouldn't have."

Both New Zealand teams missed the start of the World Series and Sweeney believes that may have played a part in their performance.

"It's been really bitsy for us, we came back in (the series) late and we probably haven't got the wins we would have wanted to.

"But we've managed to blood a few young ladies over the last few tournaments, so they've got some pinnacle event experience.

"So I'm really excited for what this group can do over the next 18 months leading into the next Olympics."

Fiji totally controlled their final against the All Blacks Sevens.

Fiji quickly took control of the game with two tries in the first two minutes and scored another two just before the break to lead 24-5 at half time.

New Zealand responded with two tries just after the break when Fiji had a couple of players yellow carded, but Fiji finished the stronger to take the title.

Coach Clark Laidlaw was disappointed with their performance in the final.

"To gift them two or three tries in that first half off our own ball carries, it felt like we were giving them easy access.

However Laidlaw felt they were still in the game in the second half.

"Even at 24-12 I still felt if we could get that next score with three minutes to go and a one score game then I was confident that we could come on and win."

Earlier the Black Ferns beat France 38-7 in the semi-finals while the All Blacks beat Ireland 17-10.

Both New Zealand teams had entered the tournament as two-time defending champions.

In the last year Fiji has won the Olympic and Commonwealth Games titles and now the World Cup.

The World Series for the men starts in Hong Kong in November, while the women start in Dubai in December.