Rugby sevens: NZ bow out to Fiji

Six times champions New Zealand have ended the 2006 world rugby sevens series without a round win after Gordon Tietjens' team were knocked out in the semifinals in London this morning (NZtime).

Fiji beat New Zealand 21-17 in a hard fought semifinal and then became the toast of Twickenham as they trounced Samoa 54-15 in the final of the London sevens to win their first International Rugby Board world series title.

Samoa had outplayed England to reach the final with captain Uale Mai again pulling the strings in their 15-7 semifinal win.

Fiji finished the season with 144 series points, 22 ahead of England and 34 clear of third-placed South Africa.

New Zealand were fourth on 76 ahead of Samoa on 72.

Fiji, had far too much in the tank for Samoa as Lupeni Nabuliwaqa, Sereli Naqelevuki and captain Semisi Naevo inspired the side to score six unanswered tries in the second half after trailing by a point at halftime.

Currently the world champions, and world games sevens champions, Fiji - under the tutelage of veteran Waisale Serevi - have re-emerged this year as the team in the IRB world series.

Only the Commonwealth Games title has eluded them -- New Zealand retaining their Games title in Melbourne earlier this year.

Fiji and New Zealand had put on one of the contests of the day in the semifinal.

New Zealand, IRB world series champions for the past six years, looked in confident mood in the semifinal and were in control until the dying seconds, when Laisiasa Tora went over to quash the challenge and reaffirm Fiji's dominance.

Samoa's top try scorer in the world series, Timoteo Iosua grabbed the pick of the tries in the semifinal against England after catching a tantalising crosskick and going in at the corner.

He then scored in the final to take his tally for the year to 40 tries.

Leading world sevens series standings after the final round in London today: Fiji 144 points 1, England 122pts 2, South Africa 110pts 3, New Zealand 76pts 4, Samoa 72pts 5.

- NZPA