A vastly improved Manu Samoa Sevens came agonisingly close to an upset win over New Zealand during their semifinal of the Hong Kong Sevens last night. In fact, the Fuimaono Titimaea Tafuacoached team will perhaps feel hard done by after some crucial calls went against them at critical moments of the game.
In the end, Samoa narrowly missed out of a final berth against Fiji after a 15-14 heartbreaking loss in front of a vocal and lively Hong Kong crowd.
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Samoa had earlier dismissed the high-flying Americans, 26-15, to book a semifinal spot.
Against New Zealand though, the men in blue clearly lacked confidence at the beginning.
At times, they appeared clueless on attack especially close to their try line.
New Zealand knew this and they immediately capitalised with two quick tries from Scott Curry and Sherwin Stowers.
New Zealand led 12-0 comfortably at half time. Whatever was said during the break immediately took effect when the men in blue returned with a lot more initiative and vigour in the second stanza.
Lafaele Va’a began Samoa’s come back with a long-range try underneath the sticks. It was converted by Tila Mealoi, closing the gap, 14-7.
With their tails up, Samoa Toloa showed his class to score Samoa’s second try. Mealoi converted, 12-14, and suddenly a famous upset was on the cards.
But it wasn’t to be.
A controversial penalty at the breakdown gave New Zealand a handy kick to the post to snatch the lead, 15-14.
Samoa had one last scoring opportunity and they attacked valiantly down the right side of the field only for New Zealand to use their hands in the ruck.
This was not picked up by the referee and from there a clearly rattled All Blacks Sevens were only relieved to boot the ball to touch ending the game.
New Zealand went on to play Fiji in the final while Samoa faced South Africa in the play off for 3rd.
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