Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
New Zealand broke South African hearts as they edged their hosts 7-5 in the Cup Final to complete a Cape Town double, following up on the victory earned by their women’s counterparts. The two finalists are now in a dead heat at the top of the men’s standings, with a 12-point gap ahead of 3rd-place France.
Day Three was a slow one for the Americas teams who played only one game each due to the new finals day format. On a positive note two of the three teams were victorious, with Argentina the unlucky side to taste defeat in the Cup Quarter Final.
Los Pumas took an early advantage through Rodrigo Etchart, but France replied with Pierre-Gilles Lakafia’s try converted by Jean-Pascal Barraque. Franco Sábato raced away just a minute later to re-take the lead but that would be the end for Argentina as Remi Siega and Paulin Riva each touched down to send France into the Semi Finals.
Canada had to wait awhile but when they finally did take the field, they made it count. Pat Kay converted his own try before Jeral Skelton replied. It was all downhill for Australia from there. Phil Berna and David Richard scored on either side of halftime with Josiah Morra putting on the finishing touches to claim 11th spot at the tournament.
Settling for 9th place was the Men’s Eagles. Ollie Lindsay-Hague gave England an early lead but the USA fired back with three unanswered tries. Maka Unufe, Danny Barrett, and Carlin Isles touched down in quick succession with Dan Norton’s late score academic.
Argentina are now the top Americas side after two stops as they sit in 4th place, tied with England on 24 points. The USA are now in 9th spot, just one point ahead of Ireland. Canada slip two spots to 12th as both Kenya and Ireland jump ahead after strong efforts in Cape Town.
The Series continues with another combined men’s and women’s event in Hamilton, New Zealand, on January 25th. One week later the Oceania leg will finish in Sydney, Australia.
DAY THREE RESULTS
CUP QUARTER FINALS
South Africa 17 – 5 Kenya
France 19 – 10 Argentina
Ireland 12 – 31 Fiji
New Zealand 35 – 19 Scotland
CUP SEMI FINALS
South Africa 21 – 14 France
Fiji 7 – 24 New Zealand
15th PLACE FINAL
Wales 15 – 19 Japan
13th PLACE FINAL
Samoa 38 – 7 Spain
11th PLACE FINAL
Australia 5 – 22 Canada
9th PLACE FINAL
USA 17 – 12 England
BRONZE FINAL
France 29 – 24 Fiji
CUP FINAL
South Africa 5 – 7 New Zealand
