Frank Halai hat-trick helps New Zealand outclass Argentina
Sevens rookie Frank Halai scored a hat-trick and triggered New Zealand to win a lethal 34-7 match over Argentina on their very first fixture of Rugby Sevens tournament today.
DJ Forbes the New Zealand captain had previously mentioned that his side has to clear the three finals on fist day, and New Zealand successfully dealt with it in style. They won against Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Argentina on the very same day.
It was the last fixture that made the New Zealand team really disentangle themselves, by scoring 5 tries with a valor and immaculate demonstration of precision and power.
Halai and other appearing talent in Declan O'Donnell boasted in the two unfastening endeavours, the first approaching to Halai scarcely forty seconds into the match. Tim Mikkelson scored a try to gift his side with a handsome lead of 19-0 prior to half time;
before that O’Donell had already scored the second try of the match with his thunderous run.
Halai seemed to be in tremendous form and scored his second try just 30 seconds in to the second half. The crowd went crazy when two minutes later Halai ran piercing through Argentina’s defence scoring his third try.
The New Zealanders subjugated possession and restricted the match for their opponents from then onwards, the only good thing originating for Argentina was when fulltime neared and Diego Palma scored one and only attempt at the very last minute.
Scotland got a beating of 29-12 in their very first match, whereas Papua New Guinea was thrashed with no mercy and got lethally killed by the hosts with a score difference of 45-0.
Halai and Tomasi Cama, both proved to be the playmaker of all the three games and crossed the touchline almost every time they attempted. Buxton Popoalli is a new and yet another member of Coach Gordon Tietjens’ list of unleashed stars. He is the new hot
stepper and made his way through the Scottish defences with ease. He scored two tries against Papua New Guinea and one against Scotland.
New Zealand has not won this tournament in last three years and after a slow start today, they took over the field and possessed every inch of the ground. New Zealand has taken a firm start already and are hot favourites to win this tournament.
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