13 Feb 2012

Sport: Samoa snap sevens losing streak

2:38 pm on 13 February 2012

Samoa has beaten New Zealand 26-19 in the final of the Las Vegas Sevens to win their first IRB title in almost two years.

Alafoti Faosiliva scored the match-winning try deep into stoppage time, after New Zealand had fought back from two tries down to level the scores at 19-all.

An emotional head coach, Stephen Betham, admitted it was a relief to finally be on the winners podium again.

"It's been a long time and you know these boys have been working hard - I just couldn't stop a tear or two rolling down. They've worked so hard for the past couple of weeks and I think they deserve it today. I think they also owe it to the people - it's been a long time since we won out last Cup and I think this win is not only for them but for the people back home and all the support here in Vegas."

Samoa move up one place to fifth on the overall series standings, 23 points behind leaders New Zealand.

Fiji remain in second place after edging South Africa 21-15 in the third-place match.