Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 results: Fiji to face New Zealand in final as Ireland’s fairy-tale run ends
- Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scores a hat-trick in semi-finals at Cape Town Stadium, as defending champions seal battling 17-10 win over Irish
- Fiji run in six tries in a 38-14 thrashing of Australia, setting up seismic Sunday night showdown for Melrose Cup
New Zealand will meet Fiji in a seismic Sunday night showdown for the Melrose Cup at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scored a slick hat-trick as defending champions New Zealand ended Ireland’s fairy-tale run with a battling 17-10 win.
Two-time champions Fiji then ran in six tries in a 38-14 thrashing of Australia to set up a clash between the two most successful teams in the tournament’s history.
No 6 McGarvey-Black ran in twice in the first two minutes to give the Kiwis a dream start on Sunday afternoon in South Africa, and a 10-0 lead.
Andrew Smith then levelled things up by going over soon after the restart, setting up a grandstand finish – only for McGarvey-Black to complete his hat-trick late on, with Kurt Baker added the extras.
Fiji took an early lead against Australia when Filipe Sauturaga crossed after three minutes, with Waisea Nacuqu making the conversion.
Nacuqu then got in on the act himself, scoring to make it 12-0 with five minutes gone before missing from the tee.
Nick Malouf got the Aussies back in it before the break, with Dietrich Roache converting the try to cut the deficit to 12-7.
But Iosefo Masi delivered a hammer blow to Australia’s chances, touching down three minutes into first-half added time as Fiji persisted. This time Nacuqu was on target with his kick.
The result was put beyond doubt when Kaminieli Rasaku went over and Nacuqu added the conversion for 26-7 after nine minutes.
Josh Turner quickly replied to give Australia a glimmer of hope, but normal service was resumed when Jeremaia Matana crossed two minutes from time.
Viwa Naduvalo then rubbed salt into the wounds with one final try to round out a comprehensive victory.
Earlier, hosts South Africa suffered another disappointing defeat after their shock quarter-final loss to Ireland, as they went down 26-19 to Argentina.
The Blitzboks will play for seventh place against Samoa, who were beaten 24-17 to France.
