Kiwis deny Aussies gold
Australia’s hoodoo in the Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens continued tonight as
they succumbed to a rampaging New Zealand, but it was a serious head injury to
Australian Super 14 import Scott Fava that had everyone at the Telstra Dome
shaken.
Fava was knocked unconscious after getting hit awkwardly attempting a
tackle in the second half of the 24-17 loss to Fiji in the bronze medal
playoff, which once again left Australia out of the top three.
He lay prostrate and shaking in convulsions for several seconds before
being taken off on a motorised stretcher as a stunned sell-out crowd sat in
silence. A team doctor said an official statement would be released later,
though he reported Fava had regained consciousness in the rooms.
It was the lowlight of a terrible day for the Aussies at the Telstra Dome,
in particular for their rugby union recruits, who all fell to injury over the
course of the day. Already minus Chris Latham (ribs) and with Matt Giteau
(knee) severely hampered, the home side fell to New Zealand 21-19 in the
semi-finals and despite a brave effort in the third place match, they failed
to secure their first rugby sevens medal.
However, there was no denying New Zealand’s dominance this evening, as the
reigning Games champions took their performance to another level, disposing of
the favoured Australians with greater ease than the scoreline indicated,
before punishing England 29-21 in the final.
Three tries to one in the first half should have given the Kiwis a
comfortable lead at the main break, but an inability to convert the extra
points meant they had just an eight-point buffer with seven minutes to go.
England scored after the short interval to cut the margin to just one with
plenty of time left on the clock, but New Zealand sealed the victory with
another two tries, including a second to Joshua Blackie. It is the Kiwis third
consecutive rugby sevens’ gold, following success at Kuala Lumpur and
Manchester.
Earlier, late tries to Joshua Gamgee and Cameron Shepherd masked what was a
disappointing performance from Australia in the semi-finals. Their brittle
defence leaked two easy tries in the first half and despite some enterprising
play from Wallaby Lote Tuqiri, the home team conceded again early in the
second half to end their gold medal hopes.
Things didn’t improve in the battle for third against pre-tournament
favourites Fiji, who were surprisingly beaten by England 21-14 in the other
semi-final. The Fijians came out menacing and Neumi Nanuku scored under the
posts within 50 seconds, shell-shocking the depleted Australians.
With Latham, Giteau and Tuqiri on the sidelines, the home team did well
stay close to the highly-fancied visitors but Fiji always had the edge, Nanuku
completing an impressive hat-trick in the second half.
In the second tier competitions also held tonight, Kenya comfortably
accounted for Tonga 26-12 in the Bowl final, while Wales scored after the
siren to record a remarkable 29-28 victory in the Plate final.
New Zealand 21 (Tries: Cory Jane, Tamati Ellison, Amasio Valence;
Goals: Amasio Valence 3/3)
Australia 19 (Tries: Lote Tuqiri, Cameron Shepperd, Josh Gamgee; Goals:
Nick Reily 2/2, Matt Giteau 0/1)
Semi Final. 17/03/2006. Telstra Dome.
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