New Zealand scored four tries to beat Fiji 28-21 in the Los Angeles Cup final this afternoon to secure their first win on the 2021/2022 HSBC World 7s Series circuit, putting them in good stead for the Rugby World Cup 7s 2022 next month.
Scores were locked 14-all at half-time after both teams scored two converted tries apiece in the first half, before New Zealand scored two more to Fiji’s one, in the second half, to wrap up their appearance in the final 7s tournament on the 2021/22 series on a high.
Fiji picked up 19 points from their second place finish to come in third overall on the series standings with 122 points, behind champs Australia on 126 points and South Africa in third with 124 points.
New Zealand, on the other hand, finish 8th with 80 points, after having missed four tournaments this season because of COVID-19. However, the win today puts them in good standing for their RWC2022 title defense when rugby action resumes in Cape Town, South Africa on 9-11 September.
They head to South Africa as defending champions in both the men and women’s tourmanents following their historic victories in San Francisco four years ago.
