Powerhouse New Zealand knocked out by Fiji in quarter-finals

Aug 11, 2016 Sports

(Reuters) Rugby powerhouse New Zealand were knocked out of the inaugural Olympic sevens tournament in the quarter-finals on Wednesday after a 12-7 loss to top seeds Fiji.
Gifted a tournament lifeline when the Fijians beat the United States earlier on day two, the 12-times world sevens series champions were unable to take advantage of their reprieve in a breathless encounter at a wet Deodoro Stadium.
Fiji skipper Osea Kolinisau finished a brilliant length-of-the-field try to open the game many thought would take place in the final and Jerry Tuwai skipped through the All Blacks defense to add a second for the Pacific islanders.
Gillies Kaka had replied for New Zealand off a chip and chase while his team mate Rieko Ioane was in the sin-bin but the Fijians were able to hold on at the end to book a semi-final against Japan or France.
Earlier, Top seeds Fiji beat the United States 24-19 in the final first round match on Wednesday to save New Zealand the embarrassment of a pool stage exit at the inaugural Olympic tournament but the send the Americans home.
New Zealand had earlier suffered a 21-19 loss to Britain which, coming after their stunning 14-12 defeat to Japan on Tuesday, left the All Blacks relying on the Fijians to beat the Americans by more than four points to reach the quarter-finals.
Nate Ebner scored a 40-metre try in the final minute to get within five points of the top seeds but his skipper Madison Hughes was unable to convert and the Americans, champions at the last Olympic rugby tournament in 1924, were out.
New Zealand then had to face the Fijians in the quarter-finals and lost yesterday.

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