New Zealand haven’t let a World Rugby investigation into an eight-man breach affect them at the Sydney Sevens, swatting aside the US 24-7 in their quarter-final.
The Kiwis are facing possible disciplinary action from the sport’s governing body after World Rugby on Sunday morning confirmed a probe into Saturday night’s pool draw with Australia.
World Rugby says the 17-all result will stand but they are reviewing whether an extra player was on the pitch in the last minute of play to “determine if any disciplinary action is warranted”.
Australia led 17-10 in the dying moments of the final pool A match when vision from television cameras showed eight New Zealanders on Allianz Stadium before Ardie Savea scored under the posts.
NZ took top spot on pool A on for-and-against and will played the Americans in their Cup quarter-final, while Australia was drawn against injury-hit England.
The US put up a strong early fight but when they couldn’t capitalise on the first-half sin-binning of Kiwi captain Tim Mikkelson, the All Black Sevens team pounced.
They took a 14-0 lead into halftime with tries to Ben Lam and Augustine Pulu, and then went on with the job after the break.
The match was sealed when Lam barrelled the fastest man in sevens, Carlin Isles, before Mikkelson cleaned up to score.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Haha good banter
gbrizzy
Guest
Cad I think they had 7 and still won darn. If only Cooper was introduced
Hello
Roar Rookie
Agree hoy. Very strange I thought there would be something in the tournament rules to cover this
Taylorman
Guest
What teams? Aus, USA and England? Doubt the quarters results would have made any difference had the switched them. Unless you think there should have been a complete disqualification?
AlBo
Guest
My thoughts exactly TM. Well put. That loss just now still hurts tho. Oof.
vic rugby
Guest
I wish world rugby would take care of the wallabies its getting embarrassing
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The Kiwis won the final. I don't know if they had 8 players on the field. As the Essendon motto goes, whatever it takes
Hoy
Roar Guru
Can't see anything happening about this, which is a bit of a joke.... There is no doubt there are 8 players on the field, and looking at the footage, it doesn't seem that one is dawdling off the field after being replaced... Looking at it, they are all actively involved. The ball moves from the ruck on the left side of the field to players who make the break down the right side, and all are actively involved to my thinking... Why it took so long for the powers that be look at this is beyond me. I mean what could they possibly do now, except await the results of the tournament, and then possibly deduct table points? Doesn't help the teams affected though does it?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The big issue has to be what is World Rugby doing? It is nearly 24 hours after the event and all we hear is that they are investigating. If they had eight players on the field, the result should have been an Aus win. If there were seven on the field, fine but just let everyone lnoe. It is starting to reek of a cover up.
Taylorman
Guest
Be interesting to know what the penalty will be after the fact. If they win and have tournament points deducted one could argue had they lost the entire game at the time all would probably be deemed fair. By letting it go and then waiting for points to be accumulated only to knock them off seems a little odd. But the most important thing is they learn an important lesson for everyone...get your side organised so this doesn't happen in an Olympic medal match. Better now than then.
Albo
Guest
Sorry. I'm not one for kiwi bashing but the eight players made a difference in the last try. The play moved from the very left of the field to the very right with each player in a cause and effect role (drawing in players etc.) . It wasn't a case of one man lurking in the back. I would be happy if it was it was non influential but in this case, from what I saw from the replays it was an unfortunate error that made a big difference. I should add that there is every chance NZ would have scored anyway, but this does overshadow things.
Stu. B.
Guest
My take was replacement entering on the nearside and the pulled player exiting on the other but was dawdling,had no effect on the try being scored but if we can't beat em one way lets stick a foul up em.LOL at some of the comments but hating them because they're good still won't be enough to beat em.
CUW
Guest
yep - at least in XVs , but in 7s they are no longer the power they once was :) lost the plot in Dubai & SA and scraped thru amid controversy in NZ so ....
Zero Gain
Guest
What a joke! Ban them from all rugby for 5 years I say. That would make world rugby a lot more interesting, wouldn't it...
ben
Guest
100% accurate JT....and thanks for the compliments.
JT
Guest
100% accurate. All blacks are the poster boys of World Rugby. World Rugby make sure they "look after" the NZ boys
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Agree.
sbs2
Guest
This is rugby and you have the all blacks involved,if it was say Argentina then points would have been deducted by now.
Barry the all black
Guest
Geez you Aussies need to get over it. The ball went through four players hands not eight. The eighth player had nothing to do with any unfair advantage. We got the top spot fair and square. Kiwis are a lot different to Aussies we are maticulously fair. If we got an advantage we would have withdrawn no question. Get over it
Cadfael
Roar Guru
What is annoying is that this has happened in rugby league before and a decision has been made right after the game, not the next day or whenever. The normal penalty was the side with the wrong number of players was stripped of the points.