Reigning gold medalists New Zealand 4-peated in Delhi with a win over Australia in the final of the Rugby Sevens at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Australia had been the strongest of the quarter-finalists, convincingly beating Kenya to make the semi-finals.
Then they beat South Africa to claim their place in the final.
New Zealand were slow to get started against Wales in their quarter final but got into their stride in the second half to run out comfortable winners,
The Kiwis then faced England in the semi-finals.
The English beat Samoa in their quarter final in a tight match but they were no match for New Zealand on the day, losing 31-7.
Lote Raikubula - tireless worker
Lote Raikubula was the unsung hero for New Zealand
He worked tirelessly throughout the tournament, making tackles, backing up and making breaks – one of which led to the first try of the final.
New Zealand captain DJ Forbes took a pass from Raikubula who had made the break down the left.
But Australia came back.
Yellow Card
All Black Liam Messam returned to the Sevens team that he captained to Commonwealth Gold in Melbourne 4 years ago. Messam played well over the 2 days in Delhi providing strength and turnover accuracy at the breakdown.
He made a telling tackle that led to a turnover when Australia were hard on attack.
But it was hero to villain when he was sin binned for a high tackle with 3 minutes to go in the first half.
The indiscretion let Australia back into the match as they scored out wide from an easy overlap.
Another All Black selected in the side, Hosea Gear was given close attention by the Australian defense and it worked well as they were able to turn the ball over in the tackle on 3 occasions.
One occasion led to Australia’s second try when Luke Monahan went over after the half time hooter.
Half-time score: Australia 10-7 NZ
It was Australia who started better in thw second half with a try to key playmaker James Stannard under the posts. Australia were out to a 17-7 lead.
Tactics and strategy
New Zealand have an extra man in coach Gordon Teitjens. He has won everything in Sevens including 8 World Series and 3 Commonwealth Games gold medals before tonight.
I questioned some of the initial selections believing the team may be a bit light up front.
[This was before Liam Messam replaced the injured to Adam Thompson]
Teitjens made 3 substitutions in the second half that paid immediate dividends.
- Speedster Sherwin Stowers scored with his first touch of the match
- Tim Mikklesen made a telling tackle to turn the ball over at a crucial time in the match
[Mikklesen was used sparingly after receiving a knock in the quarter final] - Ben Souness then made a half break to put DJ Forbes in for his second try of the final
- Stowers made the break that closed the game out, going around Wallaby star Lachie Turner from inside his own 22 metre line before passing to Kurt Baker to score the final try
New Zealand had not won a World Series tournament in 2010.
This victory will give them confidence going into the 2010-11 series starting in Dubai in early December.
