Perth: Shaky first day for NZ Men's side

Perth: Shaky first day for NZ Men's side

By Navitalai Naivalurua
27/01/2024
Source: World Rugby

2022/2023 HSBC Rugby 7s Series champion New Zealand had a shaky start to their Perth 7s campaign after going down 33-15 to France in their first pool match.

New Zealand managed to score three tries, while the French side crossed over the try line 5 times.

France Theo Forner scored a hattrick to give his side a 19-5 lead at halftime.

The All Blacks 7s side needed to win against Samoa to keep them in contention for the cup quarter finals.

New Zealand were second-best in possession and territory in the first half but managed to score with their first incursion into the Samoan half when Leroy Carter finished off a brilliant handling move.

Carter put New Zealand’s all-time SVNS record appearance holder Tim Mikkelson in for his second of the day, and it looked as though the winning line was in sight despite a high penalty count going against them.

However, Samoa finally found a clinical edge with Paul Scanlan’s probing runs in attack leading to tries from Uaina Tui Sione and Malakesi Masefau.

With the sides locked together at 12-all, the match went into extra-time, and it took all five minutes of the first half for New Zealand to get the win, Regan Ware marking his 50th tournament appearance by running in the crucial score from halfway.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side leads Pool C with 6 points, France is second with 4 points, New Zealand is third with 3 points, and Samoa is on 2 points.

The Perth 7s men's competition will kick off today with Canada playing Spain at 4.16pm, then followed by Argentina taking on South Africa at 4.38pm, France will meet Samoa at 5.02pm, and Fiji will play New Zealand at 5.25pm.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Rabuka demands answers over poor HFC Bank Stadium pitch
Following the Fiji Water Flying Fijians match, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the surface at the HFC Bank Stadium was clearly not fit for an inte...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
652 people displaced by fires in the first half of this year – NFA
The number of people displaced by property fires in the first half of this year has increased to 652 compared to 566 in the same period last year, ...
8 minutes ago

Old CWM Birthing Unit fire was deliberately lit - NFA
The Old CWM Birthing Unit at Amy Street, Suva last month was deliberately set on fire. This has been confirmed by National Fire Authority CEO ...
9 minutes ago

Saukuru calls for investment in a new stadium in the Western division
Minister of Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru has called for investments to build a new stadium in the Western division. Saukuru was responding to ...
15 minutes ago

Nath questions rising crime and calls for better support for police officers
As the Fiji Police Force has been given increased funding in the 2025-2026 National Budget, Opposition MP Vijay Nath asks whether we need more ...
5 hours ago

Low-yield farmers may exit cane farming as focus shifts to scaling up middle-tier growers – Singh
For a sustainable sugar industry, farmers who produce less than 100 tonnes and show little potential for improvement may be moved out of cane farming ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
7 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
9 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
12 days ago

TOP