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South Africa proved to be well ahead of the pack in Wellington as they cruised to a 26-5 win over Fiji in the Cup Final early Sunday morning. It was the second time the two had met in the tournament, with the Fijians falling 31-12 in the pool stages on Day One. The Blitzbokke were near untouchable throughout, defeating Canada 21-5 in the Semi Final to finish the tournament with an incredible points ratio of 184-22. Canada were the only team besides Fiji to score any points at all against the HSBC Sevens Series leaders.
The Canadians ultimately finished fourth, defeating Argentina 17-12 with a late try by Justin Douglas securing their spot in the Semi Final. Scotland got their revenge winning 28-22 in the Bronze Final after falling 28-19 to Canada on Day One. Despite the challenging Day Two the tournament represents Canada’s best finish since Tokyo in April 2015, and only the fifth time in their history to qualify for a Cup Semi Final. The feat is most impressive given their 13th place finish in each of the first two stops on the circuit.
Argentina recovered from their disappointing defeat to Canada with a come-from-behind victory to beat France in the 5th Place Semi Final. Tries by Matías Osadczuk and teenage debutante Luciano González Rissoni lifted the Pumas from a 14-5 deficit to win 19-14. They repeated the heroics with their biggest win of the weekend, defeating New Zealand 17-12 two take 5th place with two tries coming from Lautaro Bazán and the match-winner via Franco Sábato.
For the Eagles the tournament was not a memorable one. After failing to make the Cup Quarter Finals they barely got past Japan in the opening round of the Trophy bracket and then crashed to defeat against Kenya. After leading 7-5 at the break, the two tries to Billy Odhiambo pushed the Kenyans beyond the reach of the Americans with a consolation try to Madison Hughes leaving the score 19-12. It was a sluggish weekend for Mike Friday’s team, whose fortunes were almost polar opposites of their North American neighbors.
The Series resumes next weekend in Sydney, Australia, with South Africa now 12 points ahead of second place Fiji. Canada, Argentina, and the USA all sit within four points of each other.
DAY TWO RESULTS
TROPHY QUARTER FINALS
Kenya 24 – 5 Russia
USA 19 – 14 Japan
Wales 29 – 7 Papua New Guinea
Australia 17 – 14 Samoa
CUP QUARTER FINALS
England 12 – 14 Scotland
New Zealand 10 – 26 Fiji
Canada 17 – 12 Argentina
South Africa 45 – 0 France
13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Russia 15 – 5 Japan
Papua New Guinea 7 – 35 Samoa
TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Kenya 19 – 12 USA
Wales 10 – 24 Australia
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
England 0 – 24 New Zealand
Argentina 19 – 14 France
CUP SEMI FINALS
Scotland 12 – 19 Fiji
Canada 5 – 21 South Africa
13th PLACE FINAL
Russia 12 – 19 Samoa
TROPHY FINAL
Kenya 19 – 17 Australia
5th PLACE FINAL
New Zealand 12 – 17 Argentina
BRONZE FINAL
Scotland 28 – 22 Canada
CUP FINAL
Fiji 5 – 26 South Africa
