Taranaki has lost the national rugby sevens crown. The Taranaki side were knocked out of the competition in semifinal play this afternoon, Sunday 12th January 2014 losing 10-5 to Wellington in Rotorua. Wellington clinched the win with a controversial try three minutes from fulltime. Wellington’s Vaea Fifita was dragged down just short of the line by Taranaki’s Beaudein Waaka. But, in what looked like a double movement, the Wellington player planted the ball over the line with the referee awarding the try despite protests from the Taranaki camp. “It’s a disappointing way to end the tournament,” said Taranaki captain Warwick Lahmert afterwards. ”It’s a bit gutting to lose by five points after all the hard work we’ve put in over the last 12 weeks.” All was not lost as the Taranaki women’s team won the plate final beating Otago 21-12.
