We saw Samoa so close to beating the All Blacks in the quarters. Samoa had eight debutants in their side, and are going to be a real handful this weekend in Vancouver.
We saw the US Eagles with a last second long distance try to beat the Blitzbokke in the group stages.
We saw Fiji back to their best in the group stages, beating Japan 62-0. Then in the quarters against the Blitzbokke, scoring three fantastic tries and defending for their lives to secure the win in extra time.
Ireland beat that same Fijian side in the group stages, but went down to New Zealand in the semis.
At half time in the Bronze match, it was Australia 14-14 Ireland. With 2:25 minutes to go in the second, Australia were 7 points up, but Nick Malouf (c), received a yellow card for a lifted tackle above the horizontal. It looked like Ireland’s try machine, Jordan Conroy, was going to score moments later, but the Aussies managed a steal on their own line. Penalty. One minute to go.
Australia decide to secure the ball and run it instead of go for touch, but Ireland steal it again and end up scoring in the corner with 30 seconds to go. Perhaps the Aussies should relook at their game management. Luckily for them, the conversion hits the post, 21-19. But the drama wasn’t over, with seconds to go, Ireland managed to steal their own kick-off. It was not to be though, as Talisman, Maurice Longbottom, made a flank-like steal to secure the bronze for the Aussies.
And we arrive at the final. You must remember when Fiji are at their best, there is no competition. Not many sides can beat Fiji in a final once they are 21-0 down, and New Zealand weren’t one of them. The All Blacks Sevens scored in the last play of the game, to write a respectable scoreline. In the end, 28-17 to Fiji, the Pacific Islanders are back.
Pools for Vancouver 16-17 April
Pool A:
Fiji
USA
Kenya
England
Pool B:
All Blacks
Samoa
Wales
Japan
Pool C:
Australia
South Africa
Spain
Canada
Pool D:
Ireland
Argentina
France
Scotland
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