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Frank Halai scores a try. - Source: Getty Images -
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It didn't quite have the heart stopping drama of the Rugby World Cup final, but the result was the same as New Zealand beat France 22-7 in the first quarterfinal of the Wellington Sevens today.
The Kiwis never really looked like losing as they ran in four tries in drizzling rain to book a semifinal against England scheduled for 6.35pm.
Despite trailing 7-0 from the kick off as they had in their first match of the tournament against Scotland, New Zealand never really looked in danger of losing to the French.
France took the initiative when Renaud Delmas scored from the kick off, but Tim Mikkelson replied in kind from the restart to level the scores and then the home side took command.
Charles Piutau scored from a quick tap penalty, then Hosea Gear ran, literally, over the top of the diminutive Delmas on the stroke of halftime for a 17-7 lead.
It wasn't vintage form from the New Zealanders who met a committed French defence and could only score one further try in the second spell, replacement Frank Halai stretching over with a minute to go.
By then France was a man down after Paul Albaladejo was sinbinned for recklessly fly hacking at a ball near a New Zealand players' head.
New Zealand's semifinal opponent is England who easily tipped out day one upstarts Tonga 26-7 in the second quarterfinal.
Tonga simply fell off too many tackles against the efficient English, trailing 14-0 by halftime and never really reproducing the energy they had during pool play when they toppled Fiji and Argentina and drew with Wales.
A consolation try to first day hero Daniel Kilioni on full time was all Tonga's supporters had to cheer about.
England will be a tough match for New Zealand, improving steadily through the tournament after pool wins over the Cook Islands and United States, then a close 14-10 loss to South Africa.
New Zealand and England have already met three times on the current World Series with the Kiwis winning 24-14 in the quarterfinals of the first tournament in Australia and 19-14 during pool play in South Africa.
England's solitary win came in the quarterfinals in Dubai where they pushed New Zealand into the plate round with a 10-7 victory.
The other quarterfinals feature Canada against Samoa followed by South Africa versus Fiji.
