Rugby: New Zealand knocked out in Hamilton sevens semifinal

Fiji has knocked New Zealand out of the Hamilton sevens.

In a dramatic, enthralling semifinal, fans flocked to see the two favourite teams at this tournament. They did not disappoint.

New Zealand had their chances but panicked under pressure with dropped balls and forward passes when breakouts from their own line threatened proving costly, going down 14-12.

Clark Laidlaw's side will now contest third place.

Vilimoni Koroi did everything he could to send New Zealand into the final, scoring one solo try and saving another will a brilliant cover tackle. Losing the influential playmaker with two minutes left to an arm injury was a major blow but Fiji deserved their victory.

The crowd traded chants of "All Blacks" and "Fiji" in an electric atmosphere but it was the Fijians, after leading 7-5 at the break, who held their nerve down the stretch.

"It was disappointing; a helluva game and typical New Zealand/Fiji. There were pretty tight margins across the weekend and unfortunately we were on the other side in that game," Laidlaw said.

"We had a couple of missed chances – we felt we had enough to win the game. We just talked then about how it will make us stronger. That's our fourth tournament in. We're a new coaching group, coaching against teams that have had coaches for three, four, five years. South Africa have 400 tournaments between them.

"We're realistic about where we're at in terms of our development but we're bloody frustrated to lose."

Earlier New Zealand progressed to the semi after downing England 19-12 in a tense match, while Fiji snuck past Gordon Tietjens' Samoa thanks to a last minute try.

Fiji meet South Africa, both teams unbeaten in Hamilton, in the Cup final.

To get the day's top sports stories in your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here