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Argentina have claimed the Men’s title at the inaugural RugbyX tournament played at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday. Meanwhile the USA finished in second place after an unusual overtime result in the Women’s Championship Final. The Men’s Eagles would bow out against Ireland in the Semi Final.
RugbyX was an experimental five-on-five format played on a half-size pitch with a single 10-minute period. There were no lineouts and depowered scrums with only the hookers able to contest possession. With no goal posts there were no kicks at goal, meaning draws were decided by a one-on-one overtime contest.
Confusion arose in the Women’s Final after the USA and England finished deadlocked on 20 points each. England were first to go and predictably scored on each of their first three one-on-one attempts. While the USA had scored in each of theirs as well, they were not given a third opportunity as the rules in fact stated that the first team to score three points was declared the winner, with points awarded for both tries scored or by preventing a score.
The Men’s result did not leave room for debate as Argentina defeated Ireland by five tries to three. Los Pumas had been defeated by France in the Pool Stage but recovered to win all three knockout matches. The USA lost both of their pool matches and claimed their only win of the tournament against the Barbarians in the Quarter Finals.
It remains to be seen if the experiment will be continued. Video of the knockout matches can be seen below, courtesy of beIN Sports.
MEN’S RESULTS
POOL A
England 30-30 Barbarians (2-3)
Ireland 25-20 Barbarians
England 10-30 Ireland
POOL B
Argentina 40-20 USA
USA 15-25 France
France 25-20 Argentina
QUARTER FINALS
Barbarians 15-35 USA
Argentina 55-15 England
SEMI FINALS
Ireland 25-20 USA
France 20-25 Argentina
FINAL
Ireland 15-25 Argentina
WOMEN’S RESULTS
SEMI FINALS
England 35-20 France
Ireland 15-30 USA
3rd PLACE FINAL
France 35-20 Ireland
1st PLACE FINAL
England 20-20 USA (3-2)
