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DUBAI, Dec 5: New Zealand will meet South Africa in the final of the Dubai Rugby Sevens after the Springboks squeezed out tournament favourites England 13-12 in the semifinals on Friday.
New Zealand booked their place with a convincing 33-0 win against Samoa, with captain Karl Te Nana scoring his 108th try in IRB Sevens history during the match to become the competition’s highest try scorer, overtaking Peter Miller of Australia’s previous record of 107 tries.
Earlier World sevens rugby champions New Zealand needed a sudden death try against France to stay in the tournament.
The Kiwis were heading home trailing 10-5 in the dying seconds of the quarter final clash before a captain’s try from Karl Te Nana brought them level at 10-10 and took the game to sudden death.
Tafai Ioasa then broke French hearts to score the winner.
England had booked their semi-final place with a scrappy 14-5 win over a spirited Argentina.
Samoa had booked their place in the last four by holding on for a 14-10 win over Australia, with missed conversions by Australian captain Paul Warwick costing the Australians dearly.
Results
Quarterfinals
England 14, Argentina 5; South Africa 19, Fiji 17; Samoa 14, Australia 10;
New Zealand 15, France 10
Semifinals
England 12, South Africa 13; Samoa 0, New Zealand 33
INTERNATIONAL PLATE
Semifinals
Argentina 21, Fiji 10; Australia 19, France 7
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
Quarterfinals
Morocco 43, Arabian Gulf 12; Kenya 36, Zimbabwe 14; Canada 27, Zambia 12;
Sri Lanka 14, Uganda 38
Semifinals
Morocco 17, Kenya 19; Canada 36, Uganda 5
INTERNATIONAL SHIELD
Semifinals
Arabian Gulf 17; Zimbabwe 12
Zambia 17; Sri Lanka 12.—AFP
