(Photo World Rugby)
South Africa men’s team beat Fiji to seal the gold medal in New York and clinch the overall HSBC SVNS Series title, while New Zealand’s all-conquering women clinched another title with a hugely dramatic final win over Australia.
Both prizes were on the line but Philip Snyman’s Blitzboks edged out Fiji 10-7 in an enthralling men’s final to cap an action-packed weekend of action in the first-ever tournament in New York. South Africa captain Impi Visser, playing his 50th tournament on the global circuit, sent Gino Cupido racing clear for the opening try and Tristan Leyds added a second before Terio Veilawa got Fiji back into the game to set up a tense finale.
The Blitzboks, though, showed remarkable defensive resolve to hold on for the win, adding to their Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver crowns, while Fiji made it six podium finishes in six HSBC SVNS Series tournaments.
After South Africa won their seventh final on US soil, HSBC Sevens Player of the Final Selvyn Davids said: “What a performance! We stuck to our guns because we knew Fiji were going to be physical, but thankfully we came out on top.”
Inspirational skipper Visser added: “It was a massive defensive effort and testament to all our hard work. We couldn’t have scripted it any better and we’re just thankful we came up with the win.”
Earlier in the semi-finals, Fiji were in blistering form as booked their place in the final with a comprehensive 28-7 win over Australia.
Fiji trailed to James Turner’s early touchdown but soon established total control with tries from Joseva Talacolo, George Bose, Viwa Naduvalo and Kavekini Tanivanuakula.
South Africa then flexed their muscles with a hard-fought 14-5 semi-final win over Argentina to set up a final showdown with Fiji.
Sebastiaan Jobb and Selvyn Davids, with his 102nd try on the circuit, touched down for the Blitzboks before Marcos Moneta replied for Los Pumas, which proved nothing more than a consolation score.
Los Pumas edge out Australia to claim bronze medal
The bronze medal was on the line as Argentina faced Australia in the third place play-off – and it was Los Pumas who emerged victorious with a resounding 26-10 success.
Wallace Charlie, 19, dived over to open the scoring before Pedro De Haro, Marcos Moneta and Matteo Graziano and Sebastian Dubuc touched down to give Argentina a stunning podium finish.
Jayden Blake scored a late consolation try but Los Pumas were emphatic victors, much to the delight of coach Santiago Gómez Cora.
Argentina are defending champions in Hong Kong and Cora said: “I’m so happy because we’re growing as a team and developing new players, so to finish the weekend with a medal is fantastic.
“We’re now focused on the Championship in Hong Kong and we love the atmosphere there – the people are outstanding but we have to be focused.”
In the first of the fifth place semi-finals, New Zealand advanced with a dramatic 31-24 win over Great Britain courtesy of Fletcher Morgan’s late try.
New Zealand began brightly and were rewarded with two early tries from Kele Lasaqa and Bradley Tocker.
Tom Burton, Charlton Kerr, Finley Lloyd-Gilmour and Marcus Kershaw replied for Great Britain.
Tries from Michael Manson and Akuila Rokolisoa levelled the scores at 24-24 before Morgan’s late clincher.
In the second fifth place semi-final, France beat Spain 36-5 with tries from Simon Desert and Maxim Granell, Josselin Bouhier (two) and Jordan Sepho (two), with Manu Moreno replying for the Spanish.
Eduardo Lopez ran in a delightful double, and Manu Moreno and Jaime Manteca also touched down, as Spain beat Great Britain 24-12 in the seventh place play-off.
Ryan Apps’ first-half brace was not enough for Great Britain who finished in eighth spot, with both sides in action at the World Championship in Hong Kong next month.
Spain coach Paco Hernández took great heart from how his side ended the tournament, saying: “It was very important to finish with a win and it will give us confidence for the next three tournaments.
“We are happy with this finish and now we need to build a team for the last three because every side is improving.”
In the fifth place play-off, New Zealand and France served up a thrilling encounter which wich the French won 21-14.
The reigning Olympic champions and the All Blacks Sevens were tied at 14-14 when Ali Dabo grabbed his second try late on with an well-anticipated interception score.
Dylan Collier and Akuila Rokolisoa scored for New Zealand but Dabo’s double and Paulin Riva’s score gave France the win before sides prepare for next month’s World Championship in Hong Kong.
Fifth title for New Zealand
New Zealand’s women’s side claimed a fifth Series title in six main Series tournaments this season in New York after edging out Australia 22-21 in an extraordinary final. The Black Ferns were already crowned overall series winners on Saturday but their eyes were firmly fixed on a seventh all-time title in the USA.
They claimed it with a hugely dramatic final win over fierce rivals Australia to clinch their fifth tournament win of the season and underline their status as the best team in the sport.
Australia fought bravely throughout and scored through Maddison Levi and Teagan Levi (two) against the Black Ferns. New Zealand, once again, though, showed their champion pedigree to win it with tries from Kelsey Teneti (two), Alena Saili and Katelyn Vahaakolo.
Player of the Final Teneti said: “It was a full fight and it didn’t take one person [to win it] – it took the whole team. Words can’t even describe the feeling and I couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of this amazing team.”
After yet another final win, captain Risi Pouri-Lane said: “It was about heart because finals footie can go either way, so we had to grind it out. But the belief in every single one of us was huge and we spoke about doing the simple things well.
Earlier, the Black Ferns racked up an 18th win in 20 matches against the USA by beating them 26-14 to seal a final spot and maintain their unbeaten run.
Su Adegoke and Kaylen Thomas scored for the USA but the Black Ferns showed all their qualities with tries from Kelsey Teneti, Jaymie Kolose, Risi Pouri-Lane and Katelyn Vahaakolo.
In the second semi-final, Australia stretched their long unbeaten record against Fiji to win 22-14 and secure a final spot.
Maddison Levi helped create the opening score for Tia Hinds and then touched down herself with her seventh of the weekend, a 47th of the season and 253rd try overall on the circuit.
It was a reminder of Levi’s awesome ability and her younger sister Tegan then grabbed Australia’s third try before Madison Ashby weighed in with their fourth.
Mariana Talatoka and Ana Maria Naimasi touched down for Fiji, who have never beaten Australia with their record against them now standing at 42 losses and one draw.
USA claim bronze medal to delight home crowd
The third place play-off saw hosts USA beat Fiji 26-17 to spark wild celebrations amongst their fans at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The Fijiana touched down through Reapi Ulunisau’s brace but Kristi Kirshe, Su Adegoke, Kaylen Thomas and Ariana Ramsey put the USA in total control before Mere Vocevoce’s late consolation.
The USA showed their class to secure a second consecutive third-place finish and confirm their status as a coming force in Sevens rugby.
In the first of the fifth place semi-finals, France beat Canada 24-19 in a highly entertaining encounter.
Savannah Bauder, Vanessa Chiappetta and Charity Williams scored for Canada but tries from Lou Noel, Yolaine Yengo and Alycia Christiaens (two) earned the win for France.
Japan showed their class with a 31-14 victory over Great Britain in the second fifth place semi-final.
Mayu Yoshino, Michiyo Suda (two), Himawari Matsuda and Ria Anoku all touched down with Katie Shillaker and Grace Crompton replying for Great Britain.
A superb double from Charity Williams, plus tries from Mahalia Robinson from Eden Kilgour, saw Canada beat Great Britain 22-14 in the seventh place play-off.
Great Britain scored through the prolific Katie Shillaker and Heather Cowell but Canada ran out worthy victors.
France overturned Japan’s 15-0 interval lead to claim a dramatic 19-15 in the fifth place play-off.
Hazuki Ouchida notched a clinically-executed brace and Chiaki Saegusa added a third before the break but France replied through Anaick Konyi, Lou Noel and Marie-Aurelie Castel to seal the win.
