The All Blacks Sevens can no longer win a medal at the Paris Olympics after losing 14-7 to South Africa in the quarterfinals.
The Kiwis claimed the silver medal in Tokyo and were hoping to go one better at this Olympics.
Similarly to their match against Ireland earlier this morning, the Kiwis conceded two first half tries, meaning they would have to come from behind to win.
New Zealand won the pool match against South Africa yesterday 17-5.
South Africa hit first with a burst of speed from captain Rosko Specman breaking through the NZ defence.
An electric end-to-end try from South Africa gave them a 14-0 lead. New Zealand knocked the ball on close to South Africa’s line, the Boks smashed a kick downfield and the Kiwis had no one back to cover which allowed South Africa to double their lead.
The Kiwis hit back over two minutes into added time at the end of the first half as Moses Leo showed a great change of pace on the left wing to score which Akuila Rokolisoa coolly converted to make it 14-7.
New Zealand could not break down a resolute South African defence which held strong as the Kiwis tried to find their way back on multiple occasions. The Kiwis had chances close to South Africa's line as well as a breakaway, but South Africa's cover defence once again thwarted the Kiwis from levelling.
The second half ended scoreless which meant South Africa advanced to the semifinals and New Zealand will have to play in the 5th-8th placed matches tomorrow.
South Africa managed to qualify for the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams.
'A lot of those boys were in tears'
All Blacks Sevens captain Scott Curry said after the game that his team gave everything they had but just came up short.
"A lot of those boys were in tears walking off, they gave everything they had for four years," said Curry.
"South Africa defended so well, scrambled back every time we had a half break, shut down a lot of our opportunities and we just weren’t good enough to finish. That's Sevens, if you’re 1% off on the day you get beaten and we were today."
This is Curry's third Olympics and was part of the side that earned a silver medal in Tokyo.
"It’s been my life for a long time, for 14 or 15 years I've poured everything I can into turning up every day and being the best I can be and trying to push the team forward.
"I've got to give congrats to South Africa, they played really well. They were so physical and just wanted it a bit more than us tonight.
"Thanks so much for your support and sorry I guess, far out we did our best but that’s all I can say."
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