Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: New Zealand win the Dubai Sevens final against Samoa

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

New Zealand win the Dubai Sevens final against Samoa

New Zealand got their IRB World Series Sevens campaign under way in positive fashion as they beat Samoa 24-12 in a gripping final on Saturday.

The NZ Sevens side had a disappointing series last season following injuries and loss of form. This first outing back shows that they’re once again going to be a handful over the next few months.

"I thought we might have been a bit undercooked," New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said of the decision not to enter his side into any pre-Dubai warm-up tournaments.

"But you put in the work and you reap the riches. The players have put everything into this win. What really pleased me was winning so well today in all three matches."

They beat Kenya 17-14 in a tense quarter final, then cruised past Fiji in the semi, beating them 19-0. In the final, they got off to a good start as they went 10-0 up after tries from Tomasi Cama and captain DJ Forbes.

Samoa fought back though to get a 12-10 lead after tries scored by Reupena Levasa and Mikaele Pesamino early in the second half. Manawatu youngster Kurt Baker then scored a nice try, before Cama sealed the win with his second.

"That's sevens rugby. They bounced back but we had the winning mentality," Tietjens said.

The series now heads to George in South Africa for the second leg this coming weekend. The home side, champions last season, will probably be favourites, but New Zealand will hope to carry over some of their good form.

"You've got to be out there and work really hard," Tietjens said. "Starting well is a bonus because if you start slowly it's a real struggle to get up. Consistency is about winning tournaments and also consistency of performance is about doing well.

"You're never going to win every tournament; it's not going to happen. But you've got to be a real contender when it comes to the series."

Time: 07:32

yeah, a another 7's win for the best rugby nation in the world.

By Tia, at December 09, 2009 2:29 pm
someone needs to chop off that atrocious tail lol

congrats to the kiwis though!

By Phil, at December 09, 2009 2:50 pm
choice thanks bro. yeah, when we are on no one plays this game better.

By Tia, at December 09, 2009 2:56 pm
I don't care if they won. A bleached rat's tail. And all the mullets. Good God.

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 3:21 pm
That guys haircut makes me feel ill

By The Inside Shoulder, at December 09, 2009 3:28 pm
what is this, the fashion police, comment on the game you lady-boys.

By Tia, at December 09, 2009 3:36 pm
Why so much negativity?

I watched the match. It was awesome. Tight but then the kiwis ran away with it.

The guy with the hairstyle the fashion police are talking about, Baker, is incredibly quick and talented by the way. You'll see more of him in future, so broaden your minds a little and judge what he does on the field please.

Congrats to NZ, and Samoa for making the final and giving NZ a good go.

By Shaft, at December 09, 2009 4:16 pm
Anyone know why they did the haka at the end there? I thought the whole idea behind it was to welcome a challenge from the other side?

...seems a little silly to do it after you've already one.

Anyways, looked like a pretty entertaining match. Well played, New Zealand!

By mike, at December 09, 2009 6:16 pm
*won (not 'one'...boy, that's embarrassing)

By mike, at December 09, 2009 6:16 pm
haircut. gotta. go. vomit.

By Oli, at December 09, 2009 6:37 pm
thought no one could beat the Aussie hair cuts,but that is atrocious.
They might play the beter rugby in the south but there hair counts for shit.

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 7:38 pm
Mike, it's some kind of tradition that the NZ Sevens side do whenever they win a tournament. They ONLY do it for the tournament win, never before or after any other matches. And they always do it with their shirts off.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but one of my earliest memories of seeing this was when Jonah played in the Commonwealth games, and they won then. 1996 I think maybe?
If I'm correct, it was just done for a bit of fun for the crowd, as is pretty much the reason why it's done these days. Fun, celebration, and showmanship. :)

By FrankyH, at December 09, 2009 8:46 pm
Good game, but good God... Their liable to forfeit the match cause of that head of hair.

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 9:02 pm
Rattys and mullets.. us kiwis do what we want

By Mulletboi, at December 09, 2009 9:38 pm
Samoa dont have their 7's big stars n yet they came close to winnin it :) well done to both team

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 10:45 pm
YEAH! WE DID IT! This is an example of why us NZanders are the best at rugby! YEAH!

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 11:44 pm
They are a great team and a great team, hut a topless Haka? Come on. V.good result for Samoa also

By Unknown, at December 10, 2009 12:08 am
anybody know whats up with tomasi cama and his wrist tap and the end of his 2 tries? is that just him showing off or what?

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 12:29 am
Worst haircut going but it was a nice try he scored.
The whole thing reeks of Dubai fakery though. Doing the haka to the tv cameras after the game when the crowd have gone home, with the 'sexy' air hostesses looking on in their oh so stylish burka inspired uniforms! Comedy.
Congrats to the kiwis though.

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 3:34 am
Opinions are allowed it's just that we'd all appreciate you toning down the arrogance.

We can both support Australia without shoving it down everyone's throats and acting all high and mighty.

And just because not as many Australians were included in the Barbarians team or the fact we didn't win the Sevens finals doesn't make it less of a game.

Ultimately, losing gracefully says just as much about your character as winning with class.

By Phil, at December 10, 2009 10:11 am
Rats tail haircuts = Spartans from the 300 movie haha

Thats the reason for the trend folks...

see Super 14 players, Lauaki, Masaga et al for futher evidence

In a loud deep voice: "What is your profession?"

LOL

By Leonidas, at December 10, 2009 11:24 am
THIS IS SPARTA!!! SPARTANS ATTACK!!!! I'm funny :P

By No.7, at December 10, 2009 11:29 am
The NZ sevens team is not the All Blacks RD

By OlWakaChangChang, at December 10, 2009 12:53 pm
^ semantics.

I've heard the SA & Aus sides also be referred to as the Springboks & Wallabys in Sevens.

By Shaft, at December 10, 2009 1:38 pm
FrankyH,

Yep, you're exactly right about the Haka. After they win a tournament, and after all the prizes have been handed out, the NZ Sevens team* do a haka in front of the Kiwi section of the crowd as a thank you to their supporters.

*Yeah, not the ABs, even though I always take a ABs flag when I go.

By Anarchangel, at December 12, 2009 8:19 pm
And where are all the 7s haters from that other thread now eh? Did all the offloads, team tries and try-saving tackles undermine their arguments? How sad.

Sevens may not be the 15 man game, but it allows new nations to compete and will grow the game globally in a way that 15-a-side can't.

By Anarchangel, at December 12, 2009 8:21 pm