Rugby: Samoa tops NZ in Hong Kong

Samoa moved to the top of the IRB World Series with their victory in Hong Kong. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand captain DJ Forbes admits Samoa have grabbed a psychological advantage, as well as the International Rugby Board sevens series lead, with two rounds remaining.

Samoa's come-from-behind 24-21 defeat of Forbes' men in the Hong Kong final overnight (NZT) made it five-from-five in matches between the sides this season. New Zealand haven't lost to any other team.

With tournaments remaining in London and Edinburgh in late May, Samoa lead with 124 points while New Zealand have 121. Third-placed Fiji have a distant 94, meaning it is a two-horse race for the title and one which Forbes and coach Gordon Tietjens must lift their team for.

"They've got that mental edge on us now but Sevens can go any way," Forbes said.

"We're still in the hunt, that's the main thing, and we've got two more tournaments to front up. It's going to be a long break to make sure we dig deep and come out firing in London and Scotland."

The loss in the prestigious Hong Kong final was New Zealand's best effort against the Samoans in this series. The match was there for the taking when two Kurt Baker tries put them 14-0 up before Samoa had touched the ball.

"Not taking anything away from Samoa but we've beaten ourselves again," Forbes said.

"We were just pushing those 50-50s and paid the price. It's heart-wrenching. We had some good support here and a good team. No superstars, just a bunch of hard-working grafters and that was probably the pleasing thing."

In front of a capacity crowd of 40,000 Samoa drew level at 14-14 by halftime with Simaika Mikaele forcing his way through from close range out wide to open Samoa's account.

Scoring machine Mikaele Pesamino broke through to touch down under the posts for the Samoans to hand them the initiative immediately after the break.

New Zealand could have levelled the tie again through Forbes but Australian referee Andrew Lees missed what looked like an obvious off-the-ball foul on the veteran forward as he hared after his own up-and-under.

Pesamino seized the initiative for Samoa, breaking one tackle to score under the posts after taking the ball at speed in the midfield, putting the Pacific islanders 24-14 ahead.

New Zealand weren't finished and replied under the posts with the last move of the game, but it was too little too late.

Samoa coach Stephen Betham said composure was key to their victory, "just keeping ourselves in the game and knowing that the game isn't over until the final whistle".

"(At 14-0 down) I sent a message onto the guys that as long as we got points before half time we were still in with a chance, and just to keep their cool. Twenty minutes is a long time and I take my hat off to them," Betham said.

"(Composure) it's something that was missing before in Samoan rugby but we're working on their mental abilities, especially to overcome mental barriers, and we're slowly achieving that.

"We've still got two to go, still a long way to go, but we'll enjoy the win."

Samoa, who last won in Hong Kong in 2007, had held off England in the semifinals 28-24.

New Zealand were also pushed to the limit against defending champions Fiji in a festival of running rugby which proved to be the most entertaining game of the competition.

Star of their semifinal was Baker, who crossed the line four times as the Kiwis edged the creative and powerful Fijians 33-28.

- NZPA, AFP, AP