Rugby: Sevens side remain top despite early exit

South Africa celebrate winning the Las Vegas sevens title. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand remain joint leaders of the world rugby sevens series despite bowing out in the semifinals of the latest leg in the United States this morning (NZt).

New Zealand, who won the last round in Wellington, were denied a place in the final by a free-running Fiji, going down 26-7 in the semifinal at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium.

South Africa who beat England 17-10 in the other semifinal went on to beat Fiji 24-14 in the final to notch their first round win since April 2009.

South Africans proved too strong for Fiji in a pulsating final.

With Cecil Afrika back from injury and at his inspirational best, the Springbok Seven were 19-0 to the good inside five minutes after tries by Afrika, Chris Dry and Branco du Preez.

Watisoni Votu hit back for Fiji before the break and Matieli Nacagilevu's try made it 19-14 in the second half, but Bernardo Botha's score made the victory safe for Paul Treu's men.

South Africa remain fifth in the series standings with 56 points but close the gap on leaders New Zealand and Egnalnd, both on 80 as well as series defending champions Samoa and Fiji who are tied for third on 64.

In the semifinals, Fiji punished an error-ridden New Zealand performance with a powerful display of running rugby.

New Zealand were starved of possession for much of the match, as an uncompromising Fijian defence forced a series of errors and turnovers.

After an opening spell of end-to-end running rugby, Seremaia Burotu powered through for Fiji's first try in the fifth minute, with Emosi Vucago adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Fiji lost Vucago soon after to a serious shoulder injury, but the Fijians continued to control the game and Joeli Lutumailagi crossed right on the halftime whistle to secure a 14-0 lead at the break.

Turnovers continued to plague New Zealand, who beat Argentina 47-7 in the quarterfinals.

Mitieli Nacagilevu crossed for Fiji's third try three minutes in the second stanza, and some excellent Fijian defence kept New Zealand scoreless for until the sixth minute, when Tomasi Cama finally broke through.

He added the extras with a quick conversion, but New Zealand's hopes of a resurgence were brief as Fiji responded almost immediately, stretching the New Zealand defence wide for Nikola Matawalu to slice through and touch down to underline a dominant performance.

The loss cut short New Zealand's hope of a hat-trick of tournament titles, after they won in Wellington last weekend and South Africa late last year.

The next round is at Hong Kong from March 25-27.

Results

Semifinals - Fiji 26 New Zealand 7; South Africa 17 England 10.

Final - South Africa 24 Fiji 14

Leading series standings: New Zealand 80, England 80, Fiji 64, Samoa 64, South Africa 56.

- NZPA