Perth SVNS, Day One - Men
WRAP: Welcome to our coverage of the men’s matches on Day One of the Perth SVNS, Round Three of the World Series.
The men’s SVNS title race is wide open – with Argentina the current standings leader after claiming gold in Cape Town and silver in Dubai.
However, South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand, Ireland and hosts Australia all sit within six points of each other, with Australia reaching the final last time out in Cape Town.
Round 2:
South Africa 21 – 14 Spain
The Spanish gave South Africa an early scare after scoring at the back of a ZAIN DAVIDS yellow card.
The Blitzboks does well to get back into the game and then the keep out Spain as they come close again towards the end.
ANTON LEGORBURU ANSO scored with one minute left to play but the South African defense wins them an unbeaten day 1.
Selvyn Davids dazzles in @Blitzboks' win against Spain 🌟#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER pic.twitter.com/XEApySMVz4
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2024
Argentina 29 – 5 Canada
Los Pumas got the game off with a quick try by MARCOS MONETA who’s been scoring tries at will series leaders. Canada responded with a try on the other side park through JACK CARSON.
Argentina kept their composure throughout the rest of the half and managed to score 2 more tries as they started looking more comfortable with ball in hand.
The Pumas changed a gear in the 2nd half and proved to be even more impenetrable on defense. The defensive effort by the Pumas with 1-man down at the end stands testimony of the strength of this Argentinian program.
Marcos Moneta takes the spotlight, opening the scoring against Canada! 🇦🇷#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @lospumas7arg pic.twitter.com/eJII2j1nEO
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2024
New Zealand 17 – 12 Samoa
Samoa and New Zealand held nothing back in this encounter as we saw bodies flying into rucks at full speed.
Samoa managed to get in close a couple of times but they failed to capitalize on their opportunities in front of goal. New Zealand then punished them on the counter attack as they do “the Rope-a-dope”, absorbing the pressure and scoring from their own 5.
Samoa bounced back in the 2nd half and this time they were as they levelled things up (12-12) with 30s left on the clock.
The game went into extra after finishing level in regular time and it went down to the wire as both sets of teams defended with all their hearts.
In the end it was the triumph of teamwork who won it for the New Zealanders as REGAN WARE scored the Golden Point try.
What a finish!
New Zealand take it on golden point 🇳🇿#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @nz_sevens pic.twitter.com/Gs6eRS4NvK
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2024
Fiji 26 – 21France
Fiji gave away a soft try in the opening minutes of the match as STEPHEN PAREZ EDO MARTIN intercepts an offload and runs through untouched.
Fiji then did well to respond on the other side of the park before Les Blues started to find a bit of dominance at the ruck situation and scoring a couple to go into half time with 14 points ahead.
The flying Fijians never gave up and PONEPATI LOGANIMASI scored a second try to bring closer. KAMINIELI RASAKU levelled things up minutes after in what surely looked like a another Golden Point contest.
The Fijian didn’t need much extra time before they secured the W with the Golden Point try being scored by TERIO TAMANI.
And what a way to steal it!
What a comeback from Fiji to take the golden point against France 🇫🇯#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @fijirugby https://t.co/Ob7exiGF7U pic.twitter.com/IqqM1CTCEF
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2024
Ireland 7 – 26 United States
It’s was an all USA first half as they scored 21 unanswered points with PERRY BAKER scoring the 3rd try on the cusp of half time.
TERRY KENNEDY helped the Irish respond to the first half onslaught by scoring under the poles after kicking the ball forward and chasing it down but his efforts were not enough as a tired looking Ireland team goes down to the Americans.
Australia 26 – 14 Great Britain
GB dominated the opening minutes of the game scoring back to back tries through MORGAN WILLIAMS and ETHAN WADDLETON.
The Australians responded with a first half try as DARBY LANCASTER found some space just before end of the first half.
The hosts manage to dig deep as they come from behind to win with three 2nd half tries BEN DOWLING scoring the final.
That’s a wrap for Day 1, the Aussies mean business as they look to win in their own backyard.
Lawson leads the charge as @Aussie7s grind out a hard-fought win! 💪#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER pic.twitter.com/b5Ht5UI8TV
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2024
Round 1:
South Africa 24 – 7 Canada
The Blitzboks got off to a solid start with SELVYN DAVIDS finding some space wide and going over in the corner but the Canadians responded in quick succession. The first half ended in a close contested affair (10-7) with everything left to play for in the second half. Selvyn Davids picked up where he left off in the first half and with that dangerous right foot step of his opponents, he managed to break the line again and score under the poles. Canada tried hard to fight back in this contest but they could not break the unrelenting South African defensive line. The Blitzboks managed to keep Canada out in the 2nd half and came out on top in this encounter.
Argentina 28 – 5 Spain
The Number 1 team on the HSBC SVNS series, Argentina showed their dominance by absorbing the early threat by the Spanish and then scoring three tries in the first half. The Argentinian talisman RODRIGO ISGRO got involved in almost every try that was scored and managed to score one of his own.
Spain managed to cross the white line once through MANU MORENO but that wrapped up things for them. It seems like it’s going take a lot of effort to stop the momentum of Los Pumas.
New Zealand17 – 33 France
The French got off to a good start after a couple of early errors by the Kiwi’s. THEO FORNER finished off a first half hat trick as the horror show continued for the All Blacks.
France picked up where the left of in the first half as JORDAN SEPHO scored from his own 22.
New Zealand managed to respond with a TIM MIKKELSON try but by then it was too little too late.
The French scored a final through PAULIN RIVA and with that win they ended a 10-game losing streak against New Zealand dating back to Paris in 2019.
Fiji 14 – 7 Samoa
The Pacific Island Derby was an arm wrestle throughout with Fiji managing to score through VIWA NADUVALO finding some space wide.
Samoa responded with a try of their own VAOVASA AFA SUA and these two giants of SVNS rugby was in a deadlock at half time.
The Flying Fijians managed to come out on top in this tight contested affair after TERIO TAMANI crossed the white wash at the death.
Ireland 17 – 12 Great Britain
The Northern Derby started off as a scruffy affair as both teams struggled with handling errors.
It seemed for as if these two teams were going to go into the 2nd half with 5 a piece after tries by SEAN CRIBBIN for Ireland and TOM EMERY for GB but TERRY KENNEDY had a different idea as he scored in the corner before they went in (10-5).
GB responded by taking the early lead through a try by ROBBIE FERGUSSON but then the Irish flyer JORDAN CONROY scored the winning try as Ireland edged GB.
Australia 14 – 19 United States
The Aussies looked to come out swinging and make a strong impression as hosts but both teams struggled to find momentum in the first half as it ended in a stalemate.
The 2nd half started off a bit better for the home side as MAURICE LONGBOTTOM and DIETRICH ROACHE went in behind for back-to-back tries.
USA fought their way back into the match with a PERRY BAKER brace and things ended on 14-all
The game went down to the wire but the Americans were up for the task and MALACCHI ESDALE scores the Golden Point try.
Esdale edges it for @USARugby in golden-point time#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER pic.twitter.com/QRLmZQH5wn
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2024
Pool A
Results
South Africa 24 – 7 Canada
Argentina 28 – 5 Spain
South Africa 21 – 14 Spain
Argentina 29 – 5 Canada
Pool B
Results
Ireland 17 – 12 Great Britain
Australia 14 – 19 United States
Ireland 7 – 26 United States
Australia 26 v 14 Great Britain
Pool C
Results
New Zealand 17 v 33 France
Fiji 14 v 7 Samoa
New Zealand 17 v 12 Samoa
Fiji 26 v 21 France
