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New Zealand's Save Tokula fends off an attacker - Source: Reuters -
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Coach Gordon Tietjens' surprise call to start Save Tokula in
their Las Vegas rugby sevens quarterfinal paid major dividends in
the 12-5 defeat of South Africa on Monday morning
(NZT).
Tokula created both their tries in the opening four minutes before
the New Zealanders hung on grimly to consign the defending
International Rugby Board series champions to a fourth
consecutive
quarterfinal exit this season.
Usually employed as an impact player, Waikato's Tokula started
ahead of Zar Lawrence and Tim Mikkelson and made his presence felt
with a giant fend to set up the opening try to Ben Souness.
A big Tokula hit 2min later then jolted the ball free,
allowing Kurt Baker to scoot clear for his first try of the
tournment.
Cecil Afrika replied with South Africa's only try 3min from the end
and his team laid seige on New Zealand's line before turning over
possession after the hooter.
New Zealand will face Kenya in the semifinals this afternoon after
the Kenyans beat England 26-21 in a marathon quarter. The scores
were locked together 14-14 after fulltime and 21-21 after 5min of
extra time. Another 3min of golden point extra time resulted in the
decisive Kenyan try.
Yesterday series leaders New Zealand recorded comfortable wins over
France and Guyana before a tight 12-7 defeat of Australia to end
pool play unbeaten.
