The impressive Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja welcomed the HSBC World Sevens Series to Seville, Spain for the first time and the action on show did not disappoint. Kicking off in brilliant sunshine, the fourth round of the 2022 Series supplied plenty of moments to remember and some thrilling finishes.
The Blitzboks had to sit and watch with a bye in their group as main HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series rivals Argentina, Australia, USA and France all kicked off with wins, some more comfortable than others with the USA needing 90 seconds of overtime to break Spanish hearts.
Tobias Sainz-Trapaga scored his try of the game to put Spain five points ahead with only seconds remaining, but USA managed to keep the ball from the restart and work space for Carlin Isles to score the match-equalising try. With Isles dotting down behind the posts, Stephen Tomasin made no mistake with the most straightforward of conversions to hand USA a two-point, 28-26 win.
The action continues in Seville on Saturday as the pool stages conclude in both the men’s and women’s tournaments before the quarter-finals take place.
South Africa make their belated entry to the tournament, against Spain at 10:57, after being given a bye on the opening day due to Samoa’s withdrawal.
One of the most fascinating encounters in the men’s draw is the final game in Pool C between England and France, the sevens version of ‘Le Crunch’ kicking off at 15:19 local time.
For London-raised Aaron Grandidier, the match will be particularly poignant as he was in England’s system until he opted to wear the colours of his French-born mother.
Grandidier was delighted with the start that France made to the Seville tournament. “It was great fun, we are so happy to be out here and we are really looking forward to cracking on this weekend and, hopefully, getting revenge for last week’s loss against England,” he said.
