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Zar Lawrence - Source: Photosport -
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New Zealand's walking wounded advanced to the final of the Las
Vegas Sevens with an impressive 21-7 semi-final defeat of
Kenya.
Coach Gordon Tietjens will need to juggle his troops for today's
final against Samoa after losing forward Ben Souness and winger
Sherwin Stowers to injuries during the semi. Souness hobbled off
holding his shoulder in the first half while Stowers suffered a
painful injury to his lower leg that forced him off after
halftime.
The New Zealanders were still too strong for a Kenyan side who
started brightly through a try to Victor Odour but couldn't prevent
Zar Lawrence responding before the break and Kurt Baker and Lote
Raikabula sealing the result after halftime.
Raikabula was a key figure, pulling off some important tackles in
another quality team defensive effort while setting up Baker's try
with a quick tap and offload.
The Kenyans may have paid the price for an exhausting quarterfinal
in which they needed eight minutes of extra time to beat England
26-21.
New Zealand had things slightly easier in a 12-5 defeat of South
Africa although they were hard on defence when the final hooter
sounded.
Save Tokula starred in the quarterfinal, setting up both the early
tries to Souness and Baker, but his subsequent sinbinning ruled him
out of the semi-final.
Cecil Afrika replied with South Africa's only try 3min from the end
but they couldn't cross again.
Tournament star Mikaele Pesamino, who has scored nine tries in Las
Vegas, crossed for the matchwinner in their 14-12 semi-final defeat
of Australia.
Samoa are the only team to beat New Zealand this year, doing so in
the semi-finals at Wellington last weekend and in pool play at
South Africa in December.
Earlier the Samoans beat Wales 17-10 in the quarterfinals while the
improving Australia stunned Wellington champions Fiji 28-7.
On Sunday series leaders New Zealand recorded comfortable wins
over France and Guyana before a tight 12-7 defeat of Australia to
end pool play unbeaten.
