HSBC World Sevens Series: Argentina beat New Zealand in Hamilton 7s Final - Ruck

HSBC World Sevens Series: Argentina beat New Zealand in Hamilton 7s Final

Argentina have beaten New Zealand to win the Hamilton 7s Tournament, as part of the 2023 HSBC World Sevens Series. Los Pumas secured a 14-12 victory over the weekend’s host nation, with Tobias Wade’s last minute conversion being the decisive kick for the win on New Zealand soil.

The All Blacks Sevens established a 12 point lead, shutting out Argentina for the first eight minutes. Akuila Rokolisoa and Roderick Solo each scored for New Zealand, with Rokolisoa only adding one conversion. Argentina’s second half comeback saw tries from Santiago Alvarez and Marcos Moneta, with Santiago Vera Feld and Tobias Wade slotting both crucial conversions.

The match ended in dramatic style, after a prolonged TMO check on a potential match-winning New Zealand try. Brady Rush’s grounding of the ball, was deemed to have been a knock on, awarding the win to Argentina.

Despite having not won a tournament yet on the 2023 Series, New Zealand lead the way for the men’s overall table. Bronze in Dubai, and silvers in Cape Town and Hamilton puts them three overall points clear of second place USA.

New Zealand did have a reason to celebrate the evening, as the Women’s Sevens team secured the trophy, and lifted it in front of their home fans at FMG Stadium, the home of Super Rugby’s Chiefs. The Black Ferns Sevens dominated the United States in their deciding match, with a 33-7 victory.

World Cup winner Portia Woodman-Wickliffe was amongst the scorers for New Zealand, along with two from Michaele Blyde and Jazmin Felix-Hotham also contributing for an impressive victory. The Black Ferns Sevens have now won back to back tournaments and lead the 2023 Sevens Series, after winning gold in Cape Town, and a silver medal in Dubai.

Next stop on the 2023 World Sevens circuit is Sydney, with the action kicking off in Australia on the 27th-29th of January.