KEY POINTS:
New Zealand paid for a clumsy first half against England to be eliminated in the semifinals of the Dubai International Rugby Board sevens tournament this morning (NZ time).
Down 0-21 at halftime, the defending champions surged back with three tries of their own in the second spell but left it to late in the 19-21 loss.
A glut of handling errors and defensive mistakes gifted victory to England, who went on to lose 12-19 to South Africa in the final.
Rob Vickerman, Ollie Phillips and Josua Drauniniu scored the tries which ultimately ensured New Zealand wouldn't make the same start to the IRB series as last year, when victorious in their first five tournaments.
As with the 15-a-side test at Twickenham this morning, New Zealand were all over England in the second half and crossed through Lote Raikabula, Nafi Tuitavake and Solomon King.
Tuitavake's try was in the right-hand corner, from which Tomasi Cama's missed conversion proved the difference.
Captain DJ Forbes said New Zealand let themselves down badly in the first seven minutes.
"England played really well tonight but I think the key for us is that we played a game of two halves," Forbes said.
"We just didn't fire any shots in the first half and England stuck to their guns."
Forbes was pleased four new players were blooded at the tournament - Kurt Baker, Paul Grant, Tim Nanai-Williams and Julian Savea.
It would be important when they play the second tournament at George, South Africa in a week.
New Zealand, who cruised through their three pool matches on Friday, looked rusty in a 21-17 quarterfinal win over Kenya.
They trailed for long periods before averting a boilover with two Tim Mikkelson tries in the second spell.
South Africa needed extra time to beat Fiji 10-7 in their semifinal and produced a thrilling late try to Ryno Benjamin to decide a roller-coaster final.
"It means a lot to the guys, especially after such a good team effort," South Africa coach Paul Treu said.
"We had a tough quarterfinal against Australia, and even tougher semi against Fiji, when they took us into sudden death. To clinch the final in the dying seconds, it just speaks volumes for the character of the team."
- NZPA
