New Zealand cruises to Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Victory

The 2008 Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens ended on a high note at the fully-packed Hong Kong Stadium Sunday evening. New Zealand showed their true dominance in Sevens rugby, beating Fiji in the Cup semi final 34 : 0 before their meeting with South Africa in a re-match of the final of the IRB Sevens World Series tournament in San Diego.

The Cup tie saw IRB Sevens World Series table leaders New Zealand totally outlcass second placed series team South Africa to beat them 26 : 12 in the final.

Despite South Africa being the reigning Rugby World Cup (15-a-side) champions, the SevensBoks are considered freshmen to the Cup final battlefield in Hong Kong (their last Cup final appearance being the 1997 Rugby Sevens World Cup held in Hong Kong).

Spirited New Zealand showed exceptional teamwork and pace in the Cup final, scoring three tries in the first half to enter the break with a 21:7 lead. The All Blacks extended their lead to 26:7 by scoring another try after the break which created a gap that South Africa was unable to bridge, and they eventually fell to the New Zealand juggernaut 26:12.

Captain DJ Forbes received the Hong Kong Sevens cup from Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, to officially end the team’s six-year drought of Hong Kong Sevens titles. This is New Zealand’s record fifth straight title in the current season of the IRB Sevens World Series, and the first time they have won the Hong Kong Sevens since 2001. If they continue to perform with the same passion, and intensity which they showed in the last two games of the Hong Kong Sevens, it is difficult to see anyone beating them any time soon.

The attendance over the three days of the event was 108,240. The 2009 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens will take place 27 - 29 March. See you there!

In our 2008 Hong Kong Coverage Sevens we offered Pictures from the Sevens, featuring all the fun and even a few of the rugby, 2008 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Fixtures, Results from the First Day of the 2008 Hong Kong Sevens, Results from the Second Day of the 2008 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, Results from Day Three of the 2008 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens all with live text coverage of games on Saturday and Sunday.

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