Back >>

Defence let NZ down in Sevens

Twenty-four hours is a long time in rugby sevens as New Zealand found to its cost at the Wellington Sevens on Saturday.

Sunday, 07 February 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Twenty-four hours is a long time in rugby sevens as New Zealand found to its cost at the Wellington Sevens on Saturday.

Just a day after a staunch defensive effort saw it overcome South Africa to top pool A at the end of day one at a colourful and noisy Westpac Stadium, the home side's defensive lapses helped Samoa to a shock 24-14 win in the Cup semi-final.

Having come from behind to claim a 7-5 lead at the break, New Zealand's quest for a fifth Wellington title came unstuck when Samoa's Mikaele Pesamino latched onto a pass from Sherwin Stowers to race under the posts at the other end and score.

Uale Mai, who got the game's opening try, then completed his hat-trick to snuff out any hopes New Zealand had of a comeback.

"It always is disappointing losing your home tournament. It's the one you always like to win," said Tietjens.

"You've got 35,000 people out there cheering for you. The boys are disappointed.

"We didn't get up for it. We missed a couple of tackles and defence has been a real key for us right throughout the weekend. We missed a couple of early tackles and let them in for a couple of soft tries.

"We lacked the composure that had been there all tournament which was disappointing."

Skipper DJ Forbes admitted the players were hurting after the loss, which followed last year's heart-breaking defeat to England in the dying seconds of the final.

"We lost this simply because we didn't defend well. We're hurting because we pride ourselves on our D [defence]," Forbes said.
"We let through some easy tries - myself included - and it's really disappointing. After a hard day yesterday we could have done a lot better."

The 12-man squad depart on Monday for the fourth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Las Vegas and Tietjens was adamant the players would bounce back quickly.

New Zealand is drawn in pool A with Australia, France and Guyana.

"We've got a tough draw so we've got to do well in our pool and we've got either Fiji or South Africa in the quarters. She's going to be very tough there as well.

"That's what the world series is all about. That's why you're getting the crowds out here. It's never predictable sevens rugby."

Despite the disappointment of losing in the capital, the New Zealand coach gave his backing to the tournament remaining in Wellington.

Wellington's contract to host the two-day party event expires after next year with Auckland and Dunedin keen to get a slice of the action.

"I'd be staggered if Wellington was to lose this series," Tietjens declared.

"They do such a great job. Look at the crowd we've got out there it's magnificent. It would be very, very disappointing if Wellington was to lose this particular tournament."

Back >>