Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
New Zealand made it back-to-back World Sevens Series tournament wins as they defeated Argentina in the Cup Final at Los Angeles. After the dreadful day of rain on Day One, conditions were much more agreable on Day Two. The men in black now hold a sizeable lead at the top of the overall standings.
Los Pumas secured their place in the Cup Final with a Quarter Final win over Samoa, followed by a an impressive Semi Final victory over Fiji. Santiago Alvarez scored the winner late in the game to send Argentina into the Final. It was just the second podium finish for Los Pumas this season but they now sit in second overall, just ahead of South Africa on scoring differential.
The USA started their day with another defeat, this time against Spain. They took out their frustrations first on Kenya, with Malacchi Esdale grabbing a double. Japan were then brushed aside with five different try-scorers securing a 13th-place finish.
Canada celebrated a win over Kenya in their first match of the day. They would play only one more, however, as an Eduardo López hat trick propelled Spain into the 9th Place Final and left the Canadians to settle for an 11/12th finish alongside Uruguay.
Los Teros were winners over Japan in the 9th Place Quarter Final, with Bautista Basso scoring two tries. They were no match for France, however as Les Bleus cruised to a blowout victory to end the day early for the South Americans.
Chile would drop both of their matches on Day Two to finish tied with Kenya at the bottom of the table. Both matches were, however, competitive. The Cóndores were just one score behind both of France and Japan, and the young side will take many positives from the weekend.
The second stop of the North American leg is next weekend in Vancouver. This time the tournament will feature both Men and Women, the Women returning to action for the first time since late January.
DAY TWO RESULTS
9th PLACE QUARTER FINALS
USA 12 – 14 Spain
Kenya 5 – 12 Canada
France 12 – 5 Chile
Uruguay 19 – 7 Japan
CUP QUARTER FINALS
Samoa 12 – 19 Argentina
Fiji 28 – 7 South Africa
Great Britain 12 – 24 New Zealand
Ireland 7 – 31 Australia
13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
USA 26 – 21 Kenya
Chile 19 – 24 Japan
9th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Spain 17 – 12 Canada
France 31 – 5 Uruguay
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Samoa 45 – 5 South Africa
Great Britain 12 – 5 Ireland
CUP SEMI FINALS
Argentina 20 – 17 Fiji
New Zealand 33 – 17 Australia
13th PLACE FINAL
USA 31 – 7 Japan
9th PLACE FINAL
Spain 24 – 26 France
5th PLACE FINAL
Samoa 24 – 19 Great Britain
BRONZE FINAL
Fiji 21 – 19 Australia
CUP FINAL
Argentina 12 – 22 New Zealand
