Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
South Africa wrapped up a perfect Dubai Sevens tournament with a 15-0 shutout win over New Zealand in the Cup Final. The Blitzbokke were a step ahead throughout and take an early lead on the 2019-2020 HSBC Sevens Series table but it was not a great day for the three Americas entries.
Both the USA and Argentina were knocked out in the Cup Quarter Finals, and under the confusing new finals day system that would end their tournaments early. Los Pumas seem to have finished one spot higher by virtue of points differential. The new system sees only the Cup Semi Finalists playing three games with all others just one.
New Zealand cruised past the Men’s Eagles, a Carlin Isles try in stoppage time saving the USA from a shutout. Matías Osadczuk’s second half try made things interesting for Argentina but they would ultimately come up short with South Africa’s 12-0 halftime lead too much to claw back.
Canada had to wait until later in the day to play their only match of the day. Co-captains Nate Hirayama and Harry Jones combined for all 17 of Canada’s points but the Fijians were in fine form and scored four second-half tries en route to a dominant 40-17 victory to finish in 9th place.
The circuit continues in Cape Town next weekend with another combined men’s and women’s event. Live broadcasts will be available on the CBC Sports website in Canada, NBC Sports Gold in the USA, and ESPN in South America.
DAY THREE RESULTS
CUP QUARTER FINALS
France 12 – 19 England
New Zealand 26 – 5 USA
South Africa 12 – 5 Argentina
Australia 14 – 19 Samoa
15th PLACE FINAL
Wales 38 – 12 Japan
13th PLACE FINAL
Kenya 26 – 14 Scotland
CUP SEMI FINALS
England 12 – 19 New Zealand
South Africa 38 – 7 Samoa
11th PLACE FINAL
Ireland 14 – 19 Spain
9th PLACE FINAL
Fiji 40 – 17 Canada
BRONZE FINAL
England 19 – 17 Samoa
CUP FINAL
New Zealand 0 – 15 South Africa
