If the last two weeks are anything to go by, then the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 is going to be unforgettable. On Saturday, on day two of the second event at The Sevens Stadium, there were so many closely fought matches and it was fitting that, with crowds back in the ground, that the men’s and women’s Cup finals both proved electric.
In the men’s final, it was a tight as they come; South Africa were 7-5 down at half-time, but a crucial second period try from JC Pretorius gave them a 10-7 victory. And Australia won the women’s event with a 15-5 triumph over Fiji in their final. It means that both those countries have won the two events in Dubai in November and December and they head into 2022 as top contenders.
South Africa have shown that they are going to be the men’s team to beat on the circuit heading into 2022 after they defeated Australia 10-7 in the men’s final.
Their skipper Siviwe Soyizwapi got them off to the perfect start when he scored after one minute, the way that South Africa transitioned from defence into attack proving so impressive.
However, Nick Malouf’s men got back into things when Corey Toole showed brilliant pace down the left to level the scores up at 5-5. Dietrich Roache converted and Australia was 7-5 up at half-time.
This really was two top teams slugging it out against each other and with three minutes to go JC Pretorius secured a crucial turnover from Billy Meakes. 60 seconds later he was taking a leading role in the attack, scoring an unconverted try to take South Africa 10-7 ahead.
Roache had one last chance for Australia, but as he tried to offload down the left-hand side the ball was knocked on. The hooter then came and the Blitzboks continue to be unbeatable.
Argentina made it two men’s bronze medals in two weeks as their two speedsters - Marcos Moneta and Luciano Gonzalez - led them to a 38-21 victory over France.
Gonzalez burst through to score the opening try of the game which was converted by Felipe Del Mestre. Moneta then kicked through and scored out wide himself, but another young talent Nelson Epee then got France on the board and when William Iraguha converted it was 12-7. Moneta then used the kicking tactic again to score his second try, Del Mestre converting to make it 19-7 at half-time.
Gonzalez scored his second try a minute into the second half and it was 24-7 to Argentina. They seemed on easy street, but then Moneta was yellow carded and tries for France from Rayan Rebbadj and Joachim Trouabal, both converted, made it 24-21. However, Moneta had his say again with his third try and then skipper Santiago Alvarez finished things off.