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Fiji are one again the Kings of Hong Kong. For the fifth consecutive year they have conquered the flagship event on the HSBC Sevens Series after defeating Argentina, the USA, and France in succession on Day Three. The win moves them in to second place overall on the 2018-19 standings.
The USA faced a stern challenge in South Africa for their first match of the day. Two highlight-reel tries from Carlin Isles put them ahead and Ben Pinkelman finished off the 21-12 result.
Isles again grabbed a double against Fiji but the eventual champions were in superb form in the tournament and would not be denied. Alasio Naduva came off the bench to score twice as the Pacific nation came away comfortable winners.
Samoa had continued their strong form in the tournament, defeating England in the Quarter Final and just coming up short in a close contest with France. They couldn’t keep up with the Eagles in the Bronze Final, however, as four players touched down to secure a 22-10 win and third spot overall for the USA.
France had done well to make the final but again Fiji were in imperious form. Aminiasi Tuimaba scored two tries for the champions as a penalty try was all Les Bleus could muster. It’s Fiji’s third title of the season after winning in Cape Town and Hamilton.
Argentina would finish in 5th place, a good return after falling short against Fiji in the Quarter Final. Late tries from Lautaro Bazán Vélez and Matías Osadczuk gave them a 19-17 win over South Africa in their second match of the day. It was Odaczuk’s try in stoppage time that gave them a 21-14 win over New Zealand in their final match.
Canada endured a miserable tournament, their worst finish in three years. They were shut out by Kenya in the Trophy Quarter Final and then fell away in the second half against Wales to earn an early shower. Justin Douglas scored two tries but otherwise little would have impressed coach Damian McGrath.
The HSBC Series continues in Singapore next weekend. With a 40-point lead over 5th-place England, the USA can clinch their spot in the 2020 Olympics if they maintain a lead of 38 points or more. That would also make Canada heavy favorites to qualify as North American representatives.
POOL RESULTS
POOL A
Samoa 17 – 7 Scotland
South Africa 22 – 7 Japan
Samoa 31 – 21 Japan
South Africa 26 – 10 Scotland
Scotland 33 – 19 Japan
South Africa 21 – 7 Samoa
POOL B
Argentina 19 – 14 Canada
France 40 – 7 Portugal
Argentina 26 – 21 Portugal
France 24 – 12 Canada
Canada 19 – 12 Portugal
France 26 – 14 Argentina
POOL C
New Zealand 40 – 19 Australia
Fiji 22 – 5 Kenya
New Zealand 36 – 0 Kenya
Fiji 31 – 12 Australia
Australia 28 – 12 Kenya
Fiji 24 – 5 New Zealand
POOL D
England 36 – 19 Wales
USA 36 – 7 Spain
England 54 – 5 Spain
USA 19 – 21 Wales
Wales 10 – 26 Spain
USA 22 – 28 England
KNOCKOUT RESULTS
TROPHY QUARTER FINALS
Scotland 33 – 14 Spain
Australia 26 – 21 Portugal
Wales 7 – 38 Japan
Canada 0 – 19 Kenya
CUP QUARTER FINALS
South Africa 12 – 21 USA
Fiji 29 – 24 Argentina
England 12 – 14 Samoa
France 14 – 12 New Zealand
13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Spain 24 – 7 Portugal
Wales 19 – 14 Canada
TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Scotland 19 – 17 Australia
Japan 21 – 12 Kenya
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
South Africa 17 – 19 Argentina
England 10 – 17 New Zealand
CUP SEMI FINALS
USA 19 – 28 Fiji
Samoa 12 – 19 France
13th PLACE FINAL
Spain 19 – 14 Wales
TROPHY FINAL
Scotland 26 – 24 Japan
5th PLACE FINAL
Argentina 21 – 14 New Zealand
BRONZE FINAL
USA 22 – 10 Samoa
CUP FINAL
Fiji 21 – 7 France
