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Team GB powered past New Zealand 21-19 in what was a cracking finale to Pool C
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Tries from Mark Bennett, James Davies and Dan Norton give GB a 21-0 lead at the break
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Rieko Ioane, Regan Ware and Lewis Ormand touched down to almost turn the game around
Team GB resisted a second-half comeback from New Zealand to record a third straight victory and finish top of Pool C.
Simon Amor’s side remain unbeaten after a 21-19 victory over one of the pre-tournament favourites.
New Zealand’s day one didn’t go to plan but they started the game well, putting Great Britain under pressure from early on. Team GB nevertheless repelled everything and took the lead through Scotland international Mark Bennett, who put in a chip and chase that Jonny Wilkinson would be proud of to dot down.
James Davies then powered over for a second before captain Tom Mitchell’s kick put speedster Dan Norton over. Mitchell converted all three scores to give Team GB a commanding 21-0 lead at the break.
New Zealand came firing back in the second half with tries from Rieko Ioane, Regan Ware and Lewis Ormond but crucially they missed a conversion to lose by two points.
It followed opening-day victories over Kenya and Japan at the Deodoro Stadium.
