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IRB Sevens World Series defending champions New Zealand has defeated a gallant Australia, 32-7, in the semi-finals of the Wellington Sevens this evening.
The hosts and top seeds proved their world champion status against a young Australian team during a four-try second half blitz which ended the Aussies best performance on the Sevens circuit for nearly two years.
The first half was a tight affair and Australia was in contention of causing a massive boil-over when Scott Higginbotham scored his first try of the weekend to leave the visitors trailing only 10-7 at half time.
However, New Zealand lifted a gear in the second stanza and stormed into the final on the back of a brace from Zar Lawrence and tries to captain DJ Forbes and Steven Yates.
Earlier Australia had qualified for their first tournament semi final since the 2006 Paris Sevens after a stunning 31-7 victory over Scotland in the quarter-finals.
Queensland's Kacey Mitchell and Brumbies winger Tim Wright each scored a brace, while Blair Connor also continued his try scoring feats from day one.
Australia, buoyed by their Wellington performance, now head to San Diego where they will face Fiji, Samoa and West Indies in Pool B, starting Saturday.
Wellington Sevens - Day Two results
Cup Semi Final
New Zealand 32 (Zar Lawrence 2, Steven Yates 2, DJ Forbes, Edwin Cocker tries; Tomasi Cama con) defeated Australia 7 (Scott Higginbotham try; Kacey Mitchell con)
Cup Quarter Final
Australia 31 (Kacey Mitchell 2, Tim Wright 2, Blair Connor tries; Kacey Mitchell 2 cons, Peter Owens con) defeated Scotland 7 (Richie Vernon try; Mike Adamson con)
Keiran Smith
ARU Media Operations
0423 755 948
