Rugby Sevens: NZ into Dubai semis

Defending champions New Zealand have cruised through to the semifinals at the International Rugby Board sevens tournament in Dubai tonight (NZT).

New Zealand ran in five tries in a convincing 35-7 cup quarterfinal win over Wales, setting up a semifinal date with England early tomorrow morning (NZT).

Tournament debutant Frank Halai scored two first half tries - the first after a neat offload from fellow debutant Declan O'Donnell and the second after a Tomasi Cama runaway - while veteran Tim Mikkelson added a third on the hooter for a 21-0 halftime lead.

Cama scored from an intercept early in the second half and Bryce Heem dotted down on fulltime after a 65m solo effort, sandwiching Wales' only try through Ifan Evans.

England earned a spot in the last four after a thrilling 24-21 win over Australia, who scored what had appeared to be the matchwinning try through Bernard Foley with a minute remaining, only for England to win the kickoff and have Dan Caprice run 60m to score.

Samoa will play Fiji in the other semifinal after the island nations progressed in contrasting styles.

Series defending champions Samoa blitzed surprise quarterfinalists the United States 38-5 while Fiji required two late tries, including one well after the final hooter, to beat South Africa 21-19 after trailing 7-19 early into the second half.

Earlier today, New Zealand survived a late scare from Argentina to march through pool play unbeaten.

Following comfortable wins over the United States, 31-7, and Zimbabwe, 24-9, Gordon Tietjens' men were pushed to the limit by the South Americans, who scored three consecutive tries to lead 19-14 midway through the second half.

However, a try to Heem with 20 seconds remaining and another well after the final hooter to fellow newcomer Jackson Ormond sealed a 24-19 victory for New Zealand.

- NZPA