6 Feb 2017

All Blacks Sevens win bronze in Sydney

3:31 pm on 6 February 2017

New Zealand have won the bronze medal at the Sydney Sevens after beating Australia 29-14.

Vilimoni Koroi in the bronze medal match in Sydney.

Vilimoni Koroi in the bronze medal match in Sydney. Photo: Photosport

South Africa defeated England 29-14 in the final making them champions of three out of the four tournaments played so far this series.

The All Blacks Sevens were relegated to contesting the bronze after being beaten by England 12-5 in the semi-finals.

The disappointment of defeat in that game followed New Zealand's joy at beating arch rivals Fiji in the quarter-finals.

Another consolation for New Zealand fans was the performance of 18-year-old playmaker Vilimoni Koroi, who continued to impress with confidence that belied his age.

Playing at sweeper Koroi also showed great heart in defence, running down break away runners who seemed destined to score.

Sherwin Stowers is stopped by an England tackler.

Sherwin Stowers is stopped by an England tackler. Photo: Getty

England and New Zealand played out a low scoring match marked by ruthless defence, as two teams that rely on power over pace struggled to break a second half deadlock.

Regan Ware scored the opening try and was then denied a second after a lob pass from Tim Mikkelson was ruled forward.

Phil Burgess answered with a try for England giving them parity 5-5 at half-time.

A stalemate developed in the second half until England converted a break down the right side into a try by Ollie Lindsay-Hague and a seven point victory.

The bronze medal match will be a replay of Australia and New Zealand's opening match of the tournament that the All Blacks Sevens won 26-14.

Vilimoni Koroi beats a Fijian tackler.

Vilimoni Koroi beats a Fijian tackler. Photo: Getty

In the quarter-finals, New Zealand defeated Fiji 24-21.

The win reversed the defeat suffered by the All Black Sevens at the hands of Fiji in the quarter-finals of the Wellington Sevens a week ago.

Iopu Iopu-Aso opened the scoring for New Zealand by rolling over the try line after receiving an inside offload from Koroi.

Fiji answered with a try of their own before Regan Ware put the All Blacks Sevens back in front by diving into the right hand corner.

The Olympic champions struck back again with a try under the posts to take a 14-12 lead into half-time.

In the second half, Sherwin Stowers scored from a quick tap only to be yellow carded a minute later for a high tackle

With a one man advantage, Fiji restored their lead with a try before Sione Molia snatched the win for New Zealand by scrambling into the in-goal long after time had expired.