A win for All Blacks, a prayer for Samoa at Dubai Rugby Sevens

Dubai - It has been a trying time for the Samoan players because of a measles outbreak that has claimed many lives back home in the island nation

As is the case with any sport, there is always a winner and a loser. But sometimes, the result takes a backseat, no matter what's at stake.
Friday was one such day at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens. Prior to the start of the final Pool C fixture, the New Zealand and Samoa players came together for a huddle on Pitch 1 of The Sevens Stadium. They then knelt down and observed a few moments of silence before the All Blacks hugged their counterparts.
It has been a trying time for the Samoan players because of a measles outbreak that has claimed many lives back home in the island nation.
The players made the brave decision to turn up in Dubai and have soldiered on through this tragedy.
It was sombre scenes and it just went on to reiterate that it is more than just a game. For the record though, six-time Dubai champions New Zealand returned with a 40-7 verdict against the 2012 winners to top the Pool.
The defending champions, the All Blacks will square off against the United States in the Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, in what is a repeat of last year's final. The US had finished second in Pool B behind Australia.
The Samoans, meanwhile, will meet Australia in the other quarterfinals after they ended second in Pool C.
Events of back home had clearly had its effect on the Samoan players but it also must be said that they still gave it their all. The All Blacks though, were clinical on the night.
Andrew Knewstubb was the key man for the All Blacks with the 24-year-old making three conversions and a brace of tries.
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black too made two conversions and a try, while Scott Curry, Sione Molia and Salesi Rayasi had a try, each.
Joe Perez had put Samoa ahead with a try in the opening minute and Tomasi Alosio made the conversion. But that was as far as they could go as the All Blacks stamped their imprint on the game.
Meanwhile, the Australia-USA fixture was an interesting and tactical game but Henry Hutchison and Maurice Longbottom shone for the Aussies. The pair were pin-point with their tries and conversions, coming up with two each.
Meanwhile, France topped Pool A followed by Argentina, with two-time winners and six-time runners-up Fiji missing out.
In the last match of the night, six-time champions South Africa rallied to beat England and top Pool D.
james@khaleejtimes.com