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Fiji proved a class apart at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, cruising to a 29-12 win over New Zealand in the Final to claim their third Melrose Cup. Argentina were the top Americas side in the competition, finishing in 5th place, with Uruguay also securing a top-10 finish.
There was little anyone could do to stop the Fijians, whose defense was almost as impressive as their attack. Through their four victories they conceded 41 points while scoring 117. Fiji had already built a 24-5 lead over New Zealand at halftime of the Championship Final.
Ireland surprised Australia to claim Bronze, while Los Pumas were 10-7 winners over France in the 5th-place final. Los Teros were overwhelmed by England in the Challenge Final but can still celebrate an impressive result having only just secured World Sevens Series qualification for the first time.
The USA and Canada each closed out their tournaments with victories, the Men’s Eagles defeating Kenya and the Maple Leafs edging Chile. Jamaica scored three second half tries against Zimbabwe but couldn’t avoid the bottom spot in their final match of the tournament.
All teams will now disband and look to the start of the 2022-2023 Sevens Series, which for the Men will begin with a return to Hong Kong on November 4. This year’s circuit will double as an Olympic qualifier, with the top four finishers qualifying automatically for Paris 2024.
FINAL STANDINGS
1 Fiji
2 New Zealand
3 Ireland
4 Australia
5 Argentina
6 France
7 South Africa
8 Samoa
9 England
10 Uruguay
11 USA
12 Kenya
13 Canada
14 Chile
15 Wales
16 Scotland
17 Uganda
18 Germany
19 Hong Kong
20 Tonga
21 South Korea
22 Portugal
23 Zimbabwe
24 Jamaica
DAY THREE MEN’S RESULTS
23rd PLACE FINAL
Jamaica 17 – 31 Zimbabwe
21st PLACE FINAL
Portugal 10 – South Korea 12
19th PLACE FINAL
Tonga 0 – 19 Hong Kong
BOWL FINAL
Germany 12 – 19 Uganda
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
South Africa 19 – 26 Argentina
France 24 – 17 Samoa
CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS
Ireland 10 – 17 New Zealand
Australia 14 – 38 Fiji
15th PLACE FINAL
Scotland 21 – 24 Wales
13th PLACE FINAL
Chile 10 – 12 Canada
11th PLACE FINAL
USA 26 – 19 Kenya
CHALLENGE FINAL
Uruguay 5 – 28 England
7th PLACE FINAL
South Africa 35 – 5 Samoa
5th PLACE FINAL
Argentina 10 – 7 France
BRONZE FINAL
Ireland 19 – 14 Australia
CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
New Zealand 12 – 29 Fiji
