ARGENTINA SHOCK BOK SEVENS IN LONDON

[no.8]

South Africa failed to advance to the semi-finals of the Emirates Airline London Sevens tournament after Argentina beat them 12-0 in a scrappy Cup Quarter-final match at Twickenham.

The Springbok Sevens were installed as firm favourites after England scored an upset 17-12 win over New Zealand. SA appeared in the Cup final of the previous three tournaments.

South Africa had a confident first day but started nervously against the Pumas, going behind to a Lucas Gonzales Amorosino try early on.

Ramiro del Busto made it 12-0 at the break with a fine converted try..

The match was a scrappy affair and SA struggled to break the Pumas’ stronghold at the breakdown and in defence and they were starved of any good possession and space.

Earlier England delivered the shock of the tournament with a hard fought 17-12 win over favourites New Zealand.

Fiji also made it through the last four thanks to try in the dying second of the match which denied Scotland a famous victory. The islanders won 19-17 to book a semi-final spot against Argentina.

Cup Quarter-final results:

England 17, New Zealand 12
Samoa 17, Portugal 7
Fiji 19, Scotland 17
Argentina 12, South Africa 0



Cup Semi-final draw:
England vs. Samoa (17h44)
Fiji vs. Argentina (18h06)

[beige]

How about Portugal beating Australia in the pool?

[JediKnight]

[zimeric]

:| thats terrible

[no.8]

How about Portugal beating Australia in the pool?

Well that's what you get for not having a national 7's competition.
Unitl we get one we won't be able to compete...

[KenyaQuin]

My 5th ranked Kenyans didn't make it past the Pool stage..

As a result they are now ranked 7th..

[no.8]

Samoa claimed the Emirates Airline London Sevens title with a tough 19-14 victory over rivals Fiji at Twickenham this evening. New Zealand won the Plate Final 19-12 against South Africa and also wrapped up the IRB World Series for a successful defence of their title.

Samoa led 19-7 at halftime.

The Kiwi’s, having conceded a penalty try in the first minute against SA, went into halftime 12-7 up thanks to tries from Tomasi Cama (converted) and Lote Raikabula.

After the restart MJ Mentz put South Africa level at 12-12 after a long range effort, winning the race to the try line against Nigel Hunt.

However, Hunt had the last laugh as he sliced through the SA defence with seconds left on the clock to score under the posts to secure victory and the Plate for the Kiwi’s.

Earlier home side England beat New Zealand to progress to the Cup semi-finals, but South Africa's subsequent 12-0 loss against Argentina meant that New Zealand's Series defence was confirmed.

South Africa's early form made them overwhelming favourites to take the London title but they were thwarted in their first match on day two by a superb Puma display. The South Americans never allowed the Bok Sevens any space and forced the SA team into costly errors..

The popular Series ends next week in Edinburgh.

Results

Shield Final Spain 10, Kenya 7

Bowl Final Australia 19, Wales 12

Plate Final New Zealand 19, South Africa 12

Cup Final Samoa 19, Fiji 14

[TOCC]

is it really required that they have a bowl, cup, shield and plate trophy?

[BLR]

is it really required that they have a bowl, cup, shield and plate trophy?

Yes....although they should add more teams so that it is more effective..

[Burgs]

I would suggest expanding to include a knife, fork, spoon and shooter glass...

[KenyaQuin]

is it really required that they have a bowl, cup, shield and plate trophy?

Yes..points are still awarded for the minor trophies and these in turn are crucial in the overall competition's standings.

[Burgs]

I still believe there is a fantastic opportunity for the Australian Sevens Program and the four S14 teams to work together to improve our Backs and Backrows.

If the ARU were to fund one Squad position and three Academy positions for each S14 team there would be a pool of sixteen professionally seasoned and mentored players to pick their Touring Squads from.

There would be plenty of details needed to be worked out such as if the S14 Main Squad was an actual individual or a floating selection from outside of the first pick twenty two?
How many injuries before the S14 team can refuse availability, how long the player is away for etc?
Who gets first selection between Sevens and Under 20's?
For example, perhaps the Squad players are only available for Hong Kong, Adelaide and post S14, with the Academy Players filling the rest of the commitments.

Plenty to argue over both here and at ARU however, I think we are currently letting a golden opportunity for extra player development slip past.