Aussies to meet NZ for sevens gold

Australia will meet New Zealand in the sevens gold medal match at the Delhi Commonwealth Games after beating South Africa 17-7 in their semi-final.

Wallabies winger Lachie Turner, Liam Gill and James Stannard scored the tries for the Australians, while Stannard added one conversion.

It will be Australia's first appearance in a gold medal play-off, while its trans-Tasman rival will be playing for its fourth title after easily dispensing of England 33-12 in the first semi-final.

South Africa was looking to avenge its 19-14 defeat to Australia in the final of the London leg of the IRB World Series last May.

It started brightly when it forced a scrum feed in its favour after Australia could not release the ball from a maul and from the following passages of play, Ryno Benjamin was able to score the first try, which was converted by Cecil Afrika.

However Australia was able to secure vital field position after the kick-off and once camped inside South Africa's half, it was able to reply via Turner close to the right corner.

The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but a late try to Gill when South Africa lacked numbers down the left pushed Australia ahead and it led 10-7 at half-time.

Australia's defensive pressure began to tell in the second term and having forced an early turnover, it moved its way deep inside the South African half.

Stannard was able to take advantage of this and he scored Australia's third try, which he duly converted to set up the 10-point winning margin.

Kiwis through

Earlier, England failed to extract revenge for its defeat to New Zealand in the 2006 gold medal match in Melbourne.

New Zealand enjoyed the better of possession and territory in the first half, opening the scoring in the fourth minute when DJ Forbes was sent through following some neat lead-up work from Lote Raikabula.

The conversion was successful before Forbes got over the stripe again just prior to half-time, having collected the ball at the base of a mini ruck only metres out from England's line.

The 12-0 half-time lead was built upon early in the second stanza, New Zealand being gifted valuable field position following an England forward pass and from the ensuring scrum, Tomasi Cama was able to score his side's third try, which was converted.

England finally found a reply through an attacking movement close to the right flank with Isoa Damudamu touching down, however it failed to stem New Zealand's momentum and the sevens powerhouse subsequently posted tries through Raikabula and Cama.

Dan Caprice score a consolation try for the English after the full-time siren, his effort simply serving to cut back New Zealand's winning margin.

Source http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/12/3036608.htm?site=sport&section=rugbyunion

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