Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Australia have claimed their first ever World Sevens Series title. Despite finishing third in Los Angeles, the ‘Misfits’ – as they call themselves – held the best overall points total at the season’s end, edging out South Africa and Argentina to finish at the top. The best previous finish for the Australians was during the 2000-2001 season when they were runners-up to New Zealand.
LA Giltinis star Billy Meakes was part of the winning squad, appearing in four of their six matches. He had earlier played in the first two stops of the season, both held in Dubai last December. Giltinis teammate Tom Mitchell notably suited up for England this weekend.
It was New Zealand who ultimately came out on top in LA. They needed a last-gasp try from Sione Molia to beat Samoa in the Semi Final and were a step ahead of Fiji to win the Cup Final by a score of 28-21. It was the only tournament victory of the season for New Zealand, who missed the first four stops on the circuit due to pandemic travel restrictions.
Argentina’s hopes of a first overall title were dashed in their first match of the day. They suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Samoa in extra time, and were 21-nil behind against Ireland before recovering to win 28-21. Doubles from Matías Osadczuk and Tomás Lizazu secured a 5th place finish.
The USA were also defeated in their Quarter Final match, falling to finalists Fiji. Injuries to four players left them with only nine fit bodies to take on Kenya in the 5th place Semi Final and it wasn’t enough as the Simbas took a 21-14 result.
Canada would close their tournament with no wins from five games. They were dealt a resounding defeat by France in their first match of the day and then fell behind 26-nil to Japan before scoring three late tries to make for an exciting though unsuccessful finish.
Los Pumas are the best of the Americas teams this season, finishing in 4th overall. The Eagles end up in 6th spot, while Canada end in 14th. Jamaica, who appeared in two tournaments, finished 19th. World Rugby have confirmed that no teams will be relegated this season due to Great Britain taking the spot of England, Scotland, and Wales next season.
All teams now turn their focus to the Rugby World Cup Sevens that takes place in Cape Town next month. The tournament begins on September 9th with the champion to be crowned on September 11.
DAY TWO RESULTS
9th PLACE QUARTER FINALS
Japan 15 – 36 England
France 42 – 0 Canada
Scotland 28 – 7 Spain
South Africa 5 – 10 Wales
CUP QUARTER FINALS
Australia 40 – 14 Kenya
Fiji 28 – 12 USA
Samoa 24 – 19 Argentina
New Zealand 29 – 14 Ireland
13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Japan 26 – 19 Canada
Spain 12 – 29 South Africa
9th PLACE SEMI FINALS
England 7 – 19 France
Scotland 19 – 7 Wales
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Kenya 21 – 14 USA
Argentina 28 – 21 Ireland
CUP SEMI FINALS
Australia 10 – 29 Fiji
Samoa 26 – 28 New Zealand
13th PLACE FINAL
Japan 0 – 26 South Africa
9th PLACE FINAL
France 33 – 0 Scotland
5th PLACE FINAL
Kenya 7 – 29 Argentina
BRONZE FINAL
Australia 21 – 7 Samoa
CUP FINAL
Fiji 21 – 28 New Zealand
