HONG KONG - New Zealand have increased their lead at the top of the world sevens championship series, despite missing out on a third straight Hong Kong final.
The New Zealanders lost their semifinal 10-7 to Fiji, but the 27th tournament became a chapter of upsets in their favour.
First, England thumped Fiji 33-20 in the final, with former Kiwi league star Henry Paul playing a big part.
Fiji had wanted to dedicate the win to their former team-mate Aminisi Naituyaga, who drowned in Fiji, but emotions were not enough to beat a superb England side.
It was England's first main title win in the 27-year history of the tournament.
New Zealand's closest rival in the world series, South Africa, were knocked out of the rain-marred event by Canada in pool play.
New Zealand go to Singapore for the eighth leg of the 11-tournament series on April 20 with 118 points, followed by South Africa on 92, Fiji on 86, England on 78 and Samoa on 70.
They went into the event with a 12-point lead in the series and came out with a 26-point buffer, despite not making the final.
The biggest bonus from the tournament for New Zealand was the growing stature of explosive teenage winger Joe Rokocoko.
He seemed set to become the star of the tournament before England sensation James Simpson-Daniel blitzed Fiji with three brilliant tries.
Rokocoko is not long out of school and scored tries in every game until the Fiji clash.
Amasio Valence, Jared Going, Hayden Reid and Craig de Goldi also had good tournaments.
Captain Eric Rush said he would not have played in the final had New Zealand qualified.
He broke a bone in his hand before halftime in the Fiji match, but carried on until the end. So, too, did Chris Masoe, who broke his nose.
Rush said New Zealand did everything they could to clinch a second hat-trick of titles at Hong Kong.
"We wanted this one bad. It's so close nowadays. It just comes down to what happens on the day. Everyone is knocking each other over."
After Singapore, the remaining tournaments are at Kuala Lumpur on April 27 and 28, in London on May 24 and 25, and at Cardiff on May 31 and June 1.
- NZPA
NZ increase sevens lead - despite loss in semis
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