Canada and Argentina finish Sydney on highs

Both Canada and Argentina closed out their Sydney 7s accounts with victories as the two Americas sides each took home some silverware on the latest stop of the HSBC World Sevens Series. Canada went undefeated on Day 2 to win the title of Bowl Champions, while Argentina won their final two matches to go one better and take home the Plate. The USA were not so lucky, failing to win either of their two games on a day of disappointment.

It was New Zealand again who emerged as Cup Champions, and once again it was a last second escape act that secured a second consecutive title. Home team Australia defeated South Africa in the semi to reach the final, and the underdogs proved fearless combatants against their much-fancied and much bigger opponents. With just seconds to play and Australia in possession, Wallaby winger Henry Speight was caught in possession and held up to set up another stunning breakaway try for Rieko Ioane in stoppage time.

The Eagles looked out of sorts after being overwhelmed by the eventual champions in the Cup quarter final. A consolation try on the final whistle was all they could muster as they fell 24-7. They looked well on their way to an easy win over Kenya in the Plate semi, running up a 21-nil lead at the half only to collapse in dramatic fashion with Bush Mwale’s try on full-time sealing an incredible come-from-behind win for the East African nation.

Argentina had nothing for South Africa in their Cup quarter, losing by four tries to nil, but redeemed themselves in the Plate draw. A tough battle against England was decided by a determined run from Germán Schulz. Kenya would be their opponents in the Plate final but they were out of gas, having expended all their energy in the match against USA, and were easy victims in a four-try-to-none shutout.

It was Canada who enjoyed the largest turnaround of the weekend by far on Day 2. After an inauspicious opening day that included a crushing loss to Portugal, the Canucks looked a completely different side during their Bowl run. They dispatched Wales in a wild encounter where neither side were keen to tackle, and then turned on the jets to blow past Scotland with ease. Samoa gave them a fright but two late tries weren’t enough to close down a 17-nil lead with only four minutes to play.

The win may not quite be what head coach Liam Middleton had hoped for, but it nonetheless comes as a significant boost to team morale after showing inconsistent form over the first three stops of the circuit. That the final victory came against Samoa will make it doubly sweet as it is the Islanders who currently stand between Canada and a trip to the Rio Olympics.

Both Argentina and Canada remain in the same position as a week ago, with the Pumas in 5th spot and Canada in 12th. The USA drops one spot to 7th, overtaken by England who are now ahead by two points. South Africa, New Zealand, and Fiji are now locked in a three-way tie for the overall series lead.

All three sides now return home for some much needed rest and recovery before preparations begin in earnest for the next stop on the tour that comes in four weeks time in Las Vegas. Immediately following will be the inaugural Vancouver tournament, both of which will be targeted by the Americas sides to put in big performances with home field advantage.

DAY 2 RESULTS

BOWL QUARTER FINALS
Portugal 31 – 17 Japan
Samoa 28 – 24 Russia
Wales 21 – 32 Canada
Scotland 22 – 19

CUP QUARTER FINALS
New Zealand 24 – 7 USA
Fiji 28 – 12 Kenya
England 12 – 17 Australia
South Africa 26 – 0 Argentina

SHIELD SEMI FINALS
Japan 17 – 24 Russia
Wales 22 – 5 France

BOWL SEMI FINALS
Portugal 10 – 14 Samoa
Canada 35 – 12 Scotland

PLATE SEMI FINALS
USA 21 – 24 Kenya
England 14 – 19 Argentina

CUP SEMI FINALS
New Zealand 14 – 12 Fiji
Australia 12 – 7 South Africa

SHIELD FINAL
Russia 19 – 26 Wales

BOWL FINAL
Samoa 12 – 17 Canada

PLATE FINAL
Kenya 0 – 24 Argentina

BRONZE FINAL
Fiji 26 – 12 South Africa

CUP FINAL
New Zealand 27 – 24 Australia