Argentina triumphed at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens for the first time on Sunday, edging out France 12-7 in a closely contested men’s final at the Kai Tak Stadium.
The match, marked by a strong defensive effort from both teams, remained scoreless through the first half. It wasn’t until the second half that the game came alive, with Argentina’s Santiago Alvarez and Marcos Moneta each crossing the try line in quick succession. A successful conversion followed, propelling the South American team to a 12-0 lead.
Despite a late surge from France, which saw Gregoire Arfeuil score a try in the final moments, Argentina’s lead proved insurmountable, securing the victory and their third consecutive title in the World Series. The win also extended their lead in the series standings to 88 points, 12 ahead of Fiji, as they head into the Singapore Sevens next week.
The emotional moment was punctuated by Chief Executive John Lee presenting the trophy to the jubilant Argentine squad. Alvarez, now in his 14th season representing Argentina, reflected on the significance of the victory, emphasizing the deep connections forged with his teammates.
“Difficult to describe what we’re feeling, what we did [as] a team,” he said. “The connection we have, really, really happy and proud of this team. I will always say thank you to this team because for me, it’s all I have in my life.”
While Argentina celebrated, a large contingent of French fans filled the stadium, hopeful for a repeat of their team’s stunning upset over two-time defending champions New Zealand in the quarterfinals. However, the French side could not muster the same magic in the final.
In the women’s final, New Zealand showcased their dominance, defeating archrivals Australia 26-19 to claim their third consecutive title in Hong Kong. The match was a back-and-forth affair, with Jorja Miller scoring two pivotal tries in the second half to give the Black Ferns a 14-point advantage.
Australia’s Mackenzie Davis added a late try, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit created earlier in the match. New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini expressed her team’s joy and the implications of their victory for the World Series title.
“It means everything… this puts us in a good place for the world series title as well so, I’m really stoked about it,” Hirini said.
With 96 points in the World Series standings, the Black Ferns hold an eight-point lead over Australia as they prepare for the final leg of the Sevens calendar in Singapore.
As the dust settles on a momentous weekend in Hong Kong, both Argentina and New Zealand have established themselves as forces to be reckoned with, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the World Series.
