11 May 2015

NZ sevens beaten in Glasgow but Rio bound

8:01 am on 11 May 2015

The New Zealand sevens team have qualified for next year's Rio Olympic Games but they've failed to defend their title at the Glasgow leg of the World Series.

Scott Curry is dejected after defeat by Canada, Tokyo, 2015.

Scott Curry is dejected after defeat. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

They were beaten 24-17 by Fiji, who won their fourth title of the year in this morning's final.

Apisai Domolailai came off the bench to score two second half tries, with Fiji coming from 12-5 down at half time to secure their fourth Cup title of the season.

The New Zealand coach Sir Gordon Tietjens says Fijian flair ultimately proved the difference between losing and winning.

"No excuses whatsoever I thought we still produced a performance that we could have won it (the final) perhaps but a couple of defining moments missed tackles and just some Fijian flair that we couldn't compete with."

Fiji now lead the overall standings on 147 points heading into the final tournament in England this weekend.

South Africa, who were beaten by Fiji in the quarter-finals, are second on 142 points with defending World Series champions New Zealand third on 139 points.

All three teams have qualified for the 2016 Olympics.

New Zealand now face Australia, Wales and Japan in their pool in the final leg in England this weekend.

While Australia (101 points) still have a mathematical chance of making Rio, they'll need a mighty performance and a bit of luck to overtake England (117 points) in fourth.