USA and Argentina contest 5th, Canada stung by controversy

The Americas will have two teams vying for 5th place in the men’s draw at the Toulouse Sevens, with the USA and Argentina both dropping their Cup Quarter Final contests on Day Two. Meanwhile Canada narrowly missed out, in part due to a controversial play during England’s game against Los Pumas.

Wins over Argentina on Day One and Japan on Day Two had put the Canadians on the verge of a spot in the top eight. When Argentina took a 19-nil lead against England, however, it meant the pool would be decided by points differential. Los Pumas had been contesting the entire match with only 6 men after Rodrigo Isgro was sent off just 8 seconds into the game for a dangerous tackle.

Late in the game England’s Will Homer broke free from his own goal-line, but knowing that the try would be enough to put them ahead of Canada on the standings he chose not to ground the ball in order to kill time on the clock. In response Argentina refused to advance to make the tackle, having already done enough to secure their place at the top of the pool.

The result was two minutes of standing until the clock was up as boos rained down from the stands, and Canada were relegated to the consolation draw. Spain would be their final opponent of the day and though the two sides shared three tries each, the last-gasp conversion from Juan Ramos was the difference that put the Leones into the 9th Place Semi Final.

Unique. Bizarre. Controversial

Time seems to stand still in Toulouse as England deliberately delay scoring the try that takes them through to the quarter-finals – and Argentina, down to six men and also going through, let them#HSBC7s | #France7 pic.twitter.com/nF29JbVpdy

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 21, 2022

Three tries from Marcos Moneta has seen Argentina past Japan in their first match on Day One, and it was a double via Matías Osadczuk that did the job against England. There was no inspiration left against Ireland, however, as they failed to score any points in the Quarter Final.

Perry Baker’s hat trick in the win over Australia was the highlight of Day One for the USA. They came oh-so-close to beating New Zealand, with only two points the difference. Two tries from captain Kevon Williams led the Eagles to victory over Scotland on Day Two, but it was another hard-breaking loss to Fiji in the Quarter Final after leading 12-0 at halftime.

New Zealand were eliminated from Quarter Final contention after suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Australia, while overall leaders South Africa were stunned by Samoa. As a result the two Cup Semi Finals will be Ireland vs France and Fiji vs Samoa.

Canada will take on Wales in the 13th place Semi Final to open Day Three. Los Pumas have drawn Australia in the first 5th Place Semi Final, with the USA facing England in the second.

A full fixture list can be seen here.

 

POOL STAGE RESULTS

POOL A
England 24 – 5 Canada
Argentina 43 – 5 Japan
England 21 – 10 Japan
Argentina 12 – 19 Canada
Canada 40 – 14 Japan
Argentina 19 – 7 England

POOL B
France 56 – 5 Wales
Fiji 29 – 5 Kenya
France 38 – 14 Kenya
Fiji 19 – 0 Wales
Wales 14 – 19 Kenya
Fiji 33 – 21 France

POOL C
New Zealand 19 – 0 Scotland
Australia 19 – 24 USA
New Zealand 19 – 17 USA
Australia 28 – 7 Scotland
Scotland 12 – 28 USA
Australia 29 – 14 New Zealand

POOL D
South Africa 12 – 21 Ireland
Samoa 42 – 12 Spain
South Africa 27 – 7 Spain
Samoa 27 – 14 Ireland
Ireland 26 – 21 Spain
Samoa 19 – 7 South Africa

 

KNOCKOUT RESULTS

9th PLACE QUARTER FINALS
Canada 19 – 21 Spain
South Africa 40 – 0 Japan
Kenya 14 – 26 Scotland
New Zealand 28 – 0 Wales

CUP QUARTER FINALS
Argentina 0 – 14 Ireland
Samoa 26 – 24 England
Australia 19 – 21 France
Fiji 19 – 17 USA