TARANAKI KIDS SINK ‘BIG BROTHER” IN ALL NEW ZEALAND SEVENS FINAL

Rugby Sevens, November 14: The all-conquering Olex Taranaki Academy caused a major upset when they defeated Emerging New Zealand 31-26 in an all New Zealand cup final at the Hyperion Gold Coast International Sevens on the Gold Coast tonight.

The "Taranaki kids", led by experienced Super 15 campaigner Scott Waldrom, proved too slick and too spirited for the Gordon Tietjens NZRU combination.  In an entertaining finale to the tournament at Albert Park.

The Emerging team, with the experienced IRB Sevens campaigner Zar Lawrence and New Zealand Commonwealth Games gold medallist Toby Arnold in control, crossed for the first try to Bryce Heem, which Lawrence converted.

But it wasn't long before Waisake Naholo opened Taranaki's account which captain Cody Rei converted.

Taranaki, who never stopped attacking out wide, were quick to seize an opportunity close to the New Zealand line, when Waldrom drove hard to scramble under Lawrence to score under the posts before half-time. Rei converted to give Taranaki a 14-7 half-time lead.

Taranaki jumped back into gear soon after the break with Naholo crossing out wide and it co-incided with the departure of Lawrence, who left the field injured.

Robust forward Kane Barrett, the son of Taranaki legend Kevin and brother of fellow Academy star Beauden, charged over for try number four and the National team's assault was all but done and dusted.

If it wasn't then soon after it certainly was when snowy haired five-eighth Warwick Lahmert, who had played a hand in so many of the Taranaki movements, crossed for a well deserved five pointer.

The win was a great result for a group of players who could well hold the key to so many more Sevens successes.

But such is the determination of New Zealand rugby players, Arnold, one of the real stars of the Kiwis Delhi gold medal, scored two late tries for the National team and Matt Hodson chimed in as well to make the final score 31-26.

In what was a big weekend for the Kiwis, Samoan born former New Zealand Sevens star David Smith, who scored 12 tries for the International Samurai, was named Player of the Tournament.

Smith, 24, became the marquee signing for the Western Force on the eve of the tournament and raced in four of his dozen tries in the Samurai's 40-0 win over the Warwick Bombers in the Plate final.

Michael O'Connor's Aussie Thunderbolts were certainly in very good company after falling at the last hurdle to Taranaki who lowered the Australian colours on the bell in a heart breaking semi-final.

On the way through Taranaki also accounted for world champions Samoa Barbarians and defending champions South Sea Drifters who won the Bowl Final 29-17 over the Queensland Reds Academy team.