Madrid SVNS, Day Two - men
LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Two of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes all Grand Final – involving the top eight placed men’s teams after the regular season.
Day One got off to a thrilling start as Fiji sealed a 28-26 victory over New Zealand, while Ireland snatched their own last-gasp 26-21 win over South Africa thanks to a Gavin Mullin winner.
Both sides are sure to be favourites to be crowned Champions, as are league winners Argentina, who looked back to their best in a 31-5 win over Great Britain.
In the HSBC SVNS Play-off tournament, Canada and Samoa both went winless on day one to put huge dents in their core status hopes.
Below are all thge Day Two LIVE updates …
Championship Pool A
Australia 19 – 14 Great Britain
A dogfight of a game between these two nations, as both teams gave no quarter rushing in and eager to draw blood. They held each other at bay for the first few minutes but Nick Malouf was the first to pierce the opposition defence with a lovely try showcasing what the Australians are capable of. Great Britain unleashed their response via the hands of Will Homer a minute before the hooter. All squared at the break and right back where they left off, going to and fro between the 22s. The British had the edge for most of the second half, scoring a couple of minutes before the hooter. Australia, however, had other plans, pulling something special out of their hat to score on the hooter and three minutes after it sounded, doing t heir utmost best to keep it alive. A zealous performance by the Australians to win it at the end.
Argentina 26 – 12 France
A tough battle for the French who battled hard against the Argentine players but fell behind on a couple of occasions that cost them in the first half. The South Americans made it over the line twice, with each try costing maximum effort to pass the French defence. The zeal displayed by the French team cost them a yellow card as the hooter sounded, forcing them to be at a disadvantage for the first few minutes of the second seven. Argentina continued to control the game despite France giving it their last hoorah and securing two tries, but it was not enough. Overall a strong performance by the South Americans
France 17 – 12 Great Britain
Great Britain opened the scoring through ROSS MCCANN and then France responded with a try of their own that was disallowed as the ball was lost forward over try line. JORDAN SEPHO managed to power his way over the line in a one on one contest as the siren sounded for half time. ANTOINE DUPONT made his magic to keep the French in the contest by scoring the try that took them into Golden Points and it’s Dupont that creates the magic again for RAYAN REBBADJ to score the Golden Points.
Argentina 14 – 5 Australia
NICK MALOUF opened the scoring for Australia in a tight contested first half but it’s the defensive effort from the Aussies that paid off. The Pumas responded early in the 2nd half with a try by SANTIAGO ALVAREZ and then they managed to dig deep and finish off with a win as MATTEO GRAZIANO went over for a final try. The Pumas are ready for their semifinal.
Championship Pool B
New Zealand 33 – 24 South Africa
A riveting game to kickoff Day Two of the men’s SVNS. New Zealand started things off with a blistering opening try, which is standard for them. South Africa didn’t role over, however, breaking through the Kiwis defence with some exciting runs and pop passes which allowed them to sneak through along the flanks. Their celebrations were cut short as the Blitzboks proceeded to net three yellow cards in the first half, the last of which gave NZ a penalty try. SA got the first try in the second half and pulled ahead but the lead was short-lived. It continued to swing back and forth with NZ ultimately coming out ahead.
Ireland 21 – 26 Fiji
A tight game ensued between Ireland and Fiji, with multiple swings in momentum and nail-biting plays put out by both squads. Fiji were the first to try, getting over the line twice before Ireland responded. The lads in green had their patience and relentless pressure pay off in the second half when, after holding Fiji on the backfoot for some time, broke through following a scrum and leveled the score. Fiji pulled an extraordinary try out of their hat with a series of kicks starting from their 5 meter line on a loose ball, with the last bounce being magnetized to the islander’s hands for the final scoop to see Naduvalo over. Ireland, with their last breath conjured something equally magical via a spectacular team try to unleash Conroy who put it down in the corner. The game went to sudden death, with Fiji landing the finishing blow. Outstanding showing from both sides.
Fiji 26 – 7 South Africa
A tight contest expected from these two sides, but the opening minute derailed expectations as Fiji took the lead and ran away with it, securing three tries in the first half. They controlled the game and limited South Africa’s aggressive potential, keeping them locked in their half with little to do. Fiji pulled further ahead in the second half, slipping passed the SA defence yet again. South Africa did find the space to break through from the half way, running it in between the sticks. The try was naught but consolation, however. A solid performance by Fiji to see this one to close.
Ireland 17 – 22 New Zealand
A fine contest between these two sides with Ireland bringing the fight to New Zealand. New Zealand took the contest in stride, pulling ahead early on with two early tries, but not comfortable enough to relax as Ireland kept them honest. The Irish got their first points courtesy of Conroy, narrowing the lead going into the break. New Zealand started the first half the same as the first, with an early try, but Ireland responded quicker that time around. NZ missed a couple of conversion kicks, making the game much closer than they would’ve liked. Ireland didn’t give up and pushed through until the end, making it over in the final seconds to send it to golden point. The Kiwis showed their class in by weaving a seamless set of passes that unlocked the Irish defence in extra time and gave the men in black the winning points.
Qualifier Pool A
Uruguay 26 – 14 Germany
Germany didn’t waste any time, crossing the line in the first few seconds and catching Uruguay with a lapse in concentration. Both teams held each other to account for the remainder of the half, going back and forth between the respective 22s. Uruguay eventually made good on their attack, leveling the score before the whistle. They carried that momentum into the second seven and rattled the German defence by crossing over the try line every minute for the first three minutes. Germany managed to regather their forces and conjure up a final play before the hooter, but Uruguay stayed in the drivers seat and took the game.
United States 14 – 7 Canada
A tight game between these two North American sides, fighting tooth and nail to establish dominance. The clashes happened between the two 22s, with neither side giving too much room for the other to break through. USA found a chink in the Canadian armour and made the most of the opportunity, getting their name on the scoreboard for the only points in the first half. Canada fired back in the second half to level things out, but fell behind again after a well-worked team try that saw Esdale soar over the line. That turned out to be the winning play, seeing USA to the finish.
Qualifier Pool B
Kenya 36 – 7 Chile
Kenya got off to flying start as JOHN OKOTH scored a double early on but Chile stayed in the fight with a try by CRISTOBAL GAME. The African’s managed to score another one as OKOTH broke away again but he got run down. CHRISANT OJWANG managed to power his way over the line a few phases later as they went into the break with 2 scores in front the Chileans. The Kenyans blew Chile off the field in the 2nd half as they scored a couple of unanswered tries.
Spain 31 – 0 Samoa
The hosts had the crowd standing and singing as they dominated the early encounters of the match and scored 2 tries through POL PLA & JUAN RAMOS, respectively. ALEJANDRO LAFORGA scored one more before the break and they managed to make a try saving tackle as the siren sounded for half time. The horror show continued for Samoa as they managed to get in close again but the Spain broke away to score against the run of play. The Spanish looked comfortable at the end as they failed to give away any points looking to secure their place on the series.
