To Day 5 of the Rio Olympics. Men's Sevens lose quarter-final, Whitelock celebrates 250th cap, Men's Hockey focus on Gold and Gillies Kaka said to be heading overseas.
Men's Sevens lose quarterfinal
Great Britain showed no mercy to NZ Sevens Men’s team this morning, winning 21-19. Another upset was to follow with the Fijians squashing any Olympic medal dreams in a 12-7 quarterfinals knockout.
Kaka heading overseas
To add to their losses, Gillies Kaka of Ngāti Kahungunu will play his final tournament in the black shirt tomorrow as he prepares to take a new tack with an international side at the end of this year’s Olympic campaign with the NZ Sevens side.
Kakas' dad, former NZ Māori, Charlie Kaka revealed to Te Kāea ‘[Gillies] made a decision that the Olympics will be his last engagement with NZRU. His agent Simon Porter has organised an overseas deal with him. Gillies has been up front with the NZRU and with Titch.' While he won't be returning with a gold medal, his family is extremely proud of his achievements in his rugby career.
14th placing for Ngāti Porou Swimmer
Ngāti Porou's fast fish Corey Main swam his way to a semi-finals spot, however, it was 14th place overall in the 200m backstroke for Main who finished a close three seconds behind Russia's leading qualifier Evgeny Rylov.
250th Cap celebration for Kayla Whitelock
Women’s Black Sticks captain Kayla Whitelock (nee Sharland) of Ranitāne has plenty to celebrate following the NZ women’s defeat over Spain. Whitelock played her 250th cap and contributed to their 2-1 victory.
NZ Men's Hockey focus on Gold
The NZ Men's Sevens team may be out, but the NZ Men's hockey team remain in contention for a medal, making their way to the quarter-finals after beating the host national Brazil in a must win the match, 9-nil. It was a one-way street match for the NZ side in the first half, who put pressure on the opponent’s defence to score five goals. In the second half, the men's team found the goal another four times, too easily win the match. Their next opponent is Belgium this Saturday.
NZ Medal Tally
NZ’s medal tally remains at two silver.