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New Zealand pinch Sydney Sevens

7th February, 2016
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Canada is gearing up for the Rugby Sevens with the men's tournament sold out. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Expert
7th February, 2016
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The more accurate headline would be New Zealand didn’t win the inaugural Sydney Sevens at Allianz Stadium last night in a cliffhanger, Australia lost it.

The men in gold showed enormous courage and played some superb rugby to beat England 17-12 in the quarters and South Africa 12-7 in the semis to set up a repeat of the Rugby World Cup final.

On that occasion the All Blacks won 34-17 by being the better side on the night.

Last night, the men in black weren’t the better side.

More sevens:
» Aussie sevens have the right Friend as coach
» Eight-man bungle could hurt 7s: Friend
» Sevens: All the action from Day 2
» Sevens: All the action from Day 1
» WATCH: Aussies robbed by eight-man All Blacks

The likes of Lewis Holland, Cameron Clark and Henry Hutchison played out of their skins, giving the huge number of Australian spectators among the 73,313 who packed Allianz over the two days with plenty to cheer about.

But the Australians found out when push turned to shove that sevens pressure is unlike any other.

With just over a minute left on the final clock, and Australia leading 24-17, Tom Kingston lost possession and Rieko Ioane scored, leaving the men in gold with a two-point lead.

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With five seconds left, Henry Speight made high contact with Australia in possession and was penalised.

That was that, Rieko Ioane scored again and New Zealand were 27-24 victors. Ioane, just out of school, was named the player of the tournament.

But the Kingston-Speight mistakes weren’t the only problem, Australia’s defence was lacking at critical times that led to New Zealand tries with Australia in control.

It was a tragic waste of attacking talent.

So to New Zealand went the spoils and the silverware, but the Australians now know they can mix it with the best and have lost their making-up-the-numbers tag.

And congratulations to Sydney, you did the city proud voting with your feet – the Sydney Sevens are here to stay.

The same can’t be said about World Rugby. The governing body did nothing after it was proved New Zealand had eight men on the paddock when they scored a try after the bell to force a 17-all draw with Australia to top Pool A on the opening day.

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Try this for a limp-wristed wet lettuce belting to New Zealand.

“World Rugby confirms that it is investigating an apparent breach of Law 3 by the New Zealand Sevens team.

“In accordance with Law 3.2 the result of the match will stand, but World Rugby is currently reviewing the matter to determine if any disciplinary action is warranted.

“No further comment will be made until the outcome of the investigation.”

That was World Rugby’s only written statement, no questions.

“Apparent”? There were television replays immediately available, but World Rugby ignored the evidence.

Gutless, but that’s always been the governing body’s track record. Watch them now try to sweep the mistake under the carpet, they are masters at it.

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By the way, what are the disciplinary measures available if World Rugby shows some guts?

New Zealand could face a fine, or a deduction of World Sevens points.

The alternatives are an embarrassment, but that’s normal for World Rugby.

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