NZ on verge of another rugby sevens title

Sevens star Amasio Valence. Herald file picture

SINGAPORE - New Zealand is on the verge of a sixth IRB World Sevens series title after winning the Singapore Sevens with a superb demolition job on England in last night's final.

Gordon Tietjens' side thrashed England 26-5 in the final, scoring four tries to one in a superb display with in-the-face defence the hallmark of the performance.

After a slow start, New Zealand opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Tafai Ioasa sprinted 60 m after being put into space by Amasio Valence.

Oreni Ai'I found plenty of space out wide after a turnover a minute later and left England defender James Brooks in his wake to score under the posts.

Captain Liam Messam scored New Zealand's third try a minute before the break to put his side 21-nil up at half-time.

Oreni Ai'I scored his second try in the corner in the third minute of the second spell to seal the result, and New Zealand then cruised to the win with England scoring a late consolation try to Dan Hipkiss.

The result means New Zealand has now won the last four World Series tournaments and tops the standings with 92 points, 28 points ahead of second placed Fiji with just two tournaments remaining, in London and Paris in June.

Although mathematically they can be caught, it's a forgone conclusion that the Kiwis will keep their title.

Coach Tietjens admitted the world series was there for the taking once again, but was determined the side would strive to win both the remaining tournaments.

"We don't want to stop, we want to go on and achieve something special. The defence won us this title. Players like Amasio, Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer were outstanding," Tietjens said.

In the semi final, New Zealand disposed of defending champions South Africa 28-14 thanks two an incredible individual performance from Valence.

The little maestro scored all but two of New Zealand's points through four tries and three conversions.

Jaco Pretorius opened the scoring for South Africa, showing a blistering turn of pace to out-run the New Zealand defence in the second minute.

But New Zealand came back and dominated the remainder of the first spell. First Valence was denied by a forward pass after a blockbusting run from Captain Liam Messam.

A minute later he crossed for the first of his quartet of tries after some good buildup work by Tafai Ioasa.

With the scores level at 7-7 at half-time, Valence then weaved some magic from a quick tap penalty in the second minute of the second spell, mesmerising the South African defence to score under the posts to put New Zealand in front.

Playing catch-up, South Africa panicked with wayward passes proving costly as Valence scored two more tries, the last a wonderful individual effort from inside his own half.

Earlier Valence became only the second player in Sevens history to score 100 tries and bring up 1000 points in the quarter final win over Scotland.

England's Ben Gollings was the first player to reach the milestone.

New Zealand beat the Scots 26-7.

England reached the final by beating Fiji 14-12 with a last minute try in the second semi final.

New Zealand results:

* Final: New Zealand 26: Tries: Tafai Ioasa, Oreni Ai'I, Liam Messam: Conversions: Amasio Valence (3) England: 5


* Semi final: New Zealand: 28 Tries: Amasio Valence (4) Conversions Valence (3) Tanerau Latimer South Africa: 14 Tries: Jaco Pretorius, Fabian Juries, Conversions Stefan Basson, Mzwandile Stick


* Quarter final: New Zealand 26 Scotland 7 Tries: Tanerau Latimer, Nigel Hunt, Amasio Valence, Liam Messam, Oreni Ai'I (3).

- NZPA