December 2 - 2005 NZ Sevens play in Dubai

New Zealand swept through pool play at the 2005 Dubai Sevens but came unstuck on Day 2 of the tournament, losing a close quarter-final against Fiji 14 – 17.

Consigned to the Plate competition they were relatively untroubled to beat Australia, then France in the Plate final.

Results, Day 1.

v Canada Won 24 – 7 Ashford (2), Lawrence, Ioasa tries.

Ashford 2 con.

v Arabian Gulf Won 60 – 0 Pedersen (2), Reid (2), Cocker,

Ioasa, Lawrence, Pelenise, Mafi,

Hona tries. Valence (3), Reid (2) con.

v France Won 45 –12 Ioasa (2), Valence (2), Lawrence,

Cocker, Pedersen tries. Ashford (3),

Valence, Pedersen con.

Day 2.

v Fiji (Cup qf) Lost 14 – 17 Cocker, Lawrence tries. Valence,

Ashford con.

v Australia (Plate sf) Won 24 – 0 Reid, Mafi, Lawrence, Cocker tries.

Valence, Ashford con.

V France (Plate final) Won 19 – 7 Valence, Lawrence, Hona tries.

Valence, Reid con.

England defeated Fiji 28 – 26 in the Cup final.

This tournament was the first of the 2005/6 IRB Sevens series, in which New Zealand finished a disappointing 4th after having won the previous six series. However New Zealand did win the 2006 Commonwealth Games Sevens in Melbourne in March.