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Kenyan players dance after a win - Source: Reuters -
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An emotional New Zealand side bowed out in the quarterfinals of
the International Rugby Board sevens tournament in Hong Kong
tonight, going down 10-7 to Kenya.
A campaign overshadowed by the death of New Zealand player Zar
Lawrence's young brother ended at the hands of a Kenyan side who
overcame a 0-7 deficit.
The New Zealanders slumped to the turf when the final whistle blew
after Victor Vito was bundled into touch metres out from the
tryline.
It means they will go without success for a fifth time in the
series, leaving them with a huge task to fight back and defend
their title.
Three tournaments remain, in Adelaide, London and Edinburgh and New
Zealand will probably require victory in all three.
Kenya will face Fiji in their semifinal after the Fijians pipped
England 10-7 in the last minute while South Africa and Samoa will
square off in the other semi after ousting Australia and Argentina
respectively.
New Zealand, who were so dominant last year, once again paid for
errors and a lack of cutting edge against a Kenyan side who have
risen to become a consistent danger team. The speedy Africans also
beat New Zealand in pool play at the San Diego tournament last
month.
Lawrence opened the scoring after just 50 seconds when he barged
over for a try but his team rarely looked threatening from then as
Kenya dominated the ball and possessed more pace around the
park.
Simiyu crossed in the fourth minute to have his side trailing 5-7
at halftime and scored the matchwinner with three minutes
remaining.
On Saturday New Zealand completed pool play unbeaten with a 17-5
defeat of Australia, highlighted by two tries to Lawrence.
He has played on bravely at the tournament after learning of the
death of his brother Wiremu in a car crash only only hours before
the second day's play.
"It's very hard. It's all emotional at the moment," Lawrence said
last night.
"But my thoughts are back with my family and their's are with me.
I'm doing this for my family."
Lawrence, 27, said his family had told him to play on as a tribute
to his brother.
"My thoughts are back there but my family told me to stay here and
do it for him," he said.
"That's what I'm doing. I'm trying to play my best for my little
brother."
The New Zealand team wore black armbands and coach Gordon Tietjens
paid tribute to the courage of Lawrence.
"He was outstanding in that match with the circumstances he's
under," Tietjens said.
"He's playing for his brother and I think that's great."
Coverage on TV ONE and live streamed on TVNZ.co.nz begins at 10pm Sunday night.
