TARANAKI A MAJOR HURDLE AS AUSSIES PONDER SEVENS CUP FINAL
Rugby Sevens, November 14: Michael O'Connor's Aussie Thunderbolts will have to overcome the raw-boned spirit and determination of New Zealand's Olex Taranaki Academy to make tonight's Cup final of the Hyperion Gold Coast International Cup final at Albert Park.
The Thunderbolts, with Hamish Angus (three tries) and Ed Jenkins in control ran out 26-14 winners in this morning's quarter-final match against a promising young Sunnybank outfit.
They will meet a Taranaki team that has continued to surprise all-comers and they were far too fast and too strong for a Warwick Bombers team led by former Wallaby Andrew Walker.
The other semi-final will be played between Emerging New Zealand (who beat Fiji's Davetalevu 26-5) and the Samoa Barbarians (who overcame the International Samurai 26-14).
Cup semi-finals will kick off at 2.50pm with the major finals starting from 4.30pm and the Hyperion Cup final scheduled for 7pm.
Hyperion Gold Coast International Sevens: Albert Park: Surfers Paradise: Day Two: Quater Finals:
MEN
QF Bowl
South Sea Drifters (QLD) 47 (S Nuku 2, R Tuberi 2, N Rokobuai, J Sovasova, S Valeusa tries; N Rokobiau 3, J Sovasova 2, J Rasolea cons) d Australian Maori Rl (QLD) 0
NSW Junior Tahs (NSW) 26 (B Hartman, T Lake, A Latunipulu, E Bredenham tries; B Batger 2, R Saifoli cons) d MMI Pacific Rebels (PNG) 21 (G Ponds 2, M Diave tries; T Ponda 3 cons)
Gold Coast Breakers (QLD) 33 (J Toole 3, J Edmond, J Haviele tries; J Toole 3, J Haviele cons) d Arabian Gulf Barbarians (UAE) 19 (J MacDonald, T Fletcher, H Palmer tries; J MacDonald 2 cons)
Queensland Reds (QLD) 31 (D Burns 2, L Fesolai, S Morahan, M Wade tries; D Burns 2, S Morahan cons) d Lloyd McDermott (QLD) 5 (D Etrich try)
Shield SF Playoff
Aussie Legends (QLD) 34 (K Tanuvasa 2, C Gavadi, A McLay, M Taga, Wesele J tries; A Mclay, Tanuvasa K con) d Southern Chiefs (PNG)14 (A Injoe, N Genia tries; N Genia S Bradley con)
Brisbane Nadroga Navosa (QLD) 22 (M Tuiloruma 3, M Batisbasaga tries; M Tuiloruma cons) d Island Breeze (QLD) 21 (T Savou, W Tilagucaguca, K Kalo tries; K Vasuga 3 cons)
QF Cup
Olex Taranaki Academy (New Zealand) 31 (B Barrett 2, S Waldrom 2, C Rei tries; C Rei 2, B Barrett cons) d Bombers (QLD) 5 (R Garrett try)
Aussie Thunderbolts (Australia) 26 (H Angus 3, J Grant tries; H Angus 2, J Grant con) d Sunnybank (QLD) 14 (B Adams, A Gavegan tries; A Gavegan, S Hunt con)
Samoa Barbarians (Samoa) 26 (A Faosilivia, R Levasa, T Afamasaga, S Niue tries; R Levas 3 cons) d International Samurai (AUS/UK/NZL) 14 (J Tuapou, N Williams tries; R Khan, N Williams cons)
New Zealand Emerging Players (New Zealand) 19 (Z Lawrence, T Arnold, B Heem tries; T Arnold, Z Lawrence cons) d Davetalevu (Fiji) 5 (M Nacagilevu try)