Rugby

Rio 2016: Sonny Bill Williams out of Games as New Zealand lose to Japan

Superstar ruled out after suffering Achilles injury in Sevens opener

Japan’s Teruya Goto blasts over New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane to score a try at Deodoro Stadium. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
Japan’s Teruya Goto blasts over New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane to score a try at Deodoro Stadium. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
Tue Aug 09 2016 - 19:09

Japan 14 New Zealand 12

Japan caused arguably the greatest upset in rugby Sevens history by claiming a stunning 14-12 win against New Zealand at Deodoro Stadium on Tuesday.

In last autumn’s Rugby World Cup, Japan beat South Africa in Brighton.

And to add injury to insult for highly-fancied New Zealand, their 2015 World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams went off nursing what appeared to be an ankle injury.

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Japan took an early lead through a try from Teruya Goto that Lomano Lemeki converted, but that was the cue for an immediate response.

Scott Curry and Akira Ioane collected touchdowns either side of half-time, but Japan would not buckle and they secured a famous victory through Kameli Soejima's touchdown that Katsuyuki Sakai converted.

Britain are also in New Zealand's group, but they had few issues in seeing off Kenya 31-7 thanks to tries from Dan Bibby (two), Mark Bennett, Dan Norton and Phil Burgess.

The Counter Ruck

The Counter Ruck

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