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Argentina have claimed the first Men’s World Sevens Series title of 2023. Second half tries from Santiago Álvarez and Marcos Moneta, the latter converted by Tobías Wade, gave Los Pumas a famous come-from-behind victory over New Zealand in the Cup Final at Hamilton on Sunday.
It was also a positive showing from the USA, who wrapped up the Bronze with a win over France. Canada were again resigned to a 14th-place finish, their third in a row, while Uruguay were left even with Japan for lowest finish in the tournament.
Los Pumas celebrated an impressive win over Fiji in the Quarter Finals to start their day, despite an untimely yellow card to captain Matías Osadczuk. Against the USA in the Semi Final they were even better, securing a four-tries-to-one victory to reach the final. Moneta scored tries in both matches.
The Eagles had themselves turned heads with a dominant win over Australia in the Quarter Final. Los Pumas were a step ahead, but Ben Broselle’s late try gave the North Americans a well-earned victory over France in the Bronze Final to secure vital competition points.
Canada’s woes continued as they fell away in the second half against Kenya. They fought back with a narrow win over Uruguay, in large part thanks to 11 points from Brock Webster. A back-and-forth match against Spain ended with the Leones pulling away in the final minutes.
Los Teros scored first against Tonga in their first match of the day but former Utah Warriors scrumhalf Johnny Ika’s try in the second half proved the difference. Webster’s accurate boot gave Canada the win in Uruguay’s final match of the tournament despite two tries from skipper Diego Ardao.
The results see the USA holding strong at second overall with four tournaments played, with Argentina just two points behind in third spot. Uruguay’s worst event of the season sees them in 11th spot, with Canada languishing in 14th. Japan are the only core team ranked lower than the Canadians at this stage. The Series continues next weekend in Sydney.
DAY TWO RESULTS
9th PLACE QUARTER FINALS
Canada 5 – 21 Kenya
Samoa 24 – 21 Spain
Japan 12 – 24 Great Britain
Tonga 12 – 7 Uruguay
CUP QUARTER FINALS
South Africa 17 – 22 France
Fiji 10 – 19 Argentina
USA 28 – 14 Australia
New Zealand 10 – 5 Ireland
13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Canada 21 – 17 Uruguay
Spain 21 – 17 Japan
9th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Kenya 33 – 19 Tonga
Samoa 24 – 14 Great Britain
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
South Africa 14 – 21 Ireland
Fiji 19 – 26 Australia
CUP SEMI FINALS
France 0 – 38 New Zealand
Argentina 24 – 14 USA
13th PLACE FINAL
Canada 14 – 24 Spain
9th PLACE FINAL
Kenya 5 – 26 Samoa
5th PLACE FINAL
Ireland 17 – 26 Australia
BRONZE FINAL
France 14 – 15 USA
CUP FINAL
New Zealand 12 – 14 Argentina
