Sydney Sevens Day Three Recap: Kiwis claim Sydney double

Sun, Jan 29, 2023, 9:20 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Sydney Sevens Tournament Breakdown

The final day of action at the Sydney Sevens is complete, bringing to a close an action-packed weekend of Rugby.

The Men's and Women's titles have both been claimed by the Kiwis, completing their incredible weekend with a pair of silverware

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It is the first title for the All Black Sevens in 2022-23 whilst the Women extend their lead on top of the World Series ladder

As for the Australians, Tim Walsh's side produced two quality victories to finish fifth whilst the Men finish tied for seventh after their defeat to Samoa

Recap all the action in the live blog below or catch up on all the action on beIN Sports and Kayo Sports.


8:30 - New Zealand 38-0 South Africa

New Zealand have done the Sydney double, claiming the 38-0 win over South Africa in the Men's final

Roderick Solo lit the game up, stepping past defenders at will to score the first try of the game.

Joe Webber extended the lead just before the break as the Kiwis controlled the first half, capping the strong start with a try to Sam Dickson

New Zealand looked to extend the lead but an incredible cover tackle by the Blitzboks defence forced the mistake

Akuila Rokolisoa capped off his incredible tournament with a runaway try before Amanaki Nicole and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scored in the final minutes to cap off the perfect tournament for the Kiwis

7:55 - New Zealand 35-0 France (Women's Gold Medal)

New Zealand have secured the Women's Final with a 35-0 win over France

Tenika Willison opened the scoring, put through the hole by Jorja Miller, shortly followed over by Jazmin Felix-Hotham

Felix-Hotham broke through some soft defence to extend the margin to 21-0 at the break

Miller set the tempo in the second half, breaking free before flicking up to Willison for her second.

France didn't have an answer for New Zealand's defence as they continued to force mistakes.

Legendary Black Fern Portia Woodman-Wickliffe sealed victory for the Kiwis as they extend their lead on top of the World Series ladder

7:30 - Fiji 29-5 France (Men's Bronze Medal)

Fiji have cruised to a 29-5 victory over France.

In front of a passionate Sydney crowd, Iowane Teba lit up the field with two quick tries to stun the French.

They extended the lead just after the break via Manueli Maisamoa, with Alasio Naduva ensuring victory with a couple minutes to go.

7:05 - Ireland 5-12 USA (Women's Bronze Medal)

The USA have claimed bronze with a 12-5 win over Ireland

Samantha Sullivan opened the scoring for the USA in the first two minutes, the lone score of the first half.

Kristi Kirshe extended the advantage after the break, with Ireland responding via Kathy Baker.

With Ireland pushing to send the game into extra-time, the Americans managed to force the mistake as they hold on for third

6:45 - Samoa 24-12 Ireland

Samoa have claimed fifth with a 24-12 win over Ireland

Tuna Tuitama and Taunuu Niulevaea finish the game with doubles as they bounce back from a disappointing Hamilton campaign in style

6:25 - Argentina 21-19 Tonga

Argentina have beaten Tonga after the siren, claiming ninth with a 21-19 win.

Tonga raced out to an early 12-0 lead before Marcos Moneta's double brought the Hamilton champs back into the contest.

With the game in the balance, Rodrigo Isgro's effort leveled it up before Pellandini's conversion from right in front sealed it

5:50 - Uruguay 26-5 Spain

Uruguay have finished 13th following their 26-5 win over Spain.

Ignacio Alvarez set the tempo in the first minute, quickly followed over by Diego Arado.

They extended their lead with two further tries to secure the win

5:20 - Australia 36-12 Fiji

Australia has taken fifth place with a 36-12 win over Fiji.

Charlotte Caslick finishes with a double as they end Sydney on a high

5:15 - Great Britain 21-5 Japan

Great Britain have finished seventh in the Women's event after defeating Japan 21-5.

GB took a 14-0 lead into the break after two early tries to Emma Uren and Kayleigh Powell.

Whilst Japan made it close through Michiyo Sudo, Jasmine Joyce sealed the win as she raced away and scored.

4:50 - Fiji 12-31 South Africa

South Africa will play NZ in the final after coming away with the 31-12 victory

It has been all South Africa in the first half as they take a 17-0 lead into the break

Fiji hit back through Iowane Teba but the Blitzboks sealed the win as Jaden Baron won the race to the ball to touch down for his second, followed over by Shilton Van Wyk

4:25 - New Zelaand 36-5 France

New Zealand will have a chance to do the double as the Men's side defeat France 36-5.

Akuila Rokolisoa was the star, crossing for a hat-trick as they were unfazed by their French counterparts.

Leroy Carter chimed in with a double as they look to avenge last week's shock defeat in Hamilton to Argentina

4:05 - New Zealand 41-0 Ireland

New Zealand have booked their place in the final against France with a convincing 41-0 win over Ireland.

The Black Ferns couldn't be stopped even with Michaela Blyde on the sidelines with an apparent hamstring niggle as Shiray Kaka crossed for a hat-trick.

Sarah Hirini also crossed for a double as they cruised to victory

3:40 - France 20-7 USA

France have booked their place in the Women's gold medal match with a 20-7 win over the USA.

The French were buoyed with confidence after last night's win over Australia and instantly raced out to a 15-0 lead.

Whilst the Americans got back into the contest via Lauren Doyle, Ian Jason's late five-pointer sealed their place in the decider.

3:17 - Spain 17-14 Canada

Spain have come back from 14 points down to defeat Canada 17-14.

After trailing at the break, the Spanish scored three tries in the final five minutes to find a way to claim the victory

2:55 - Great Britain 19-21 Ireland

Ireland have mounted an impressive comeback to claim a 21-19 win over Great Britain.

The turning point came late in the second half when the Irish were awarded a penalty try when Max McFarland was ruled to have taken out Terry Kennedy.

This opened the door for Will Goddard to score in the corner, with Billy Dardis' conversion from the sidelines proving the difference

2:30 - Australia 10 v 24 Samoa

Australia will finish tied for seventh after going down to Samoa 24-5.

Taunuu Niulevaea's double gave Samoa a 19-0 lead at the break, forcing the Aussies to chase the game as the deficit proved too much.

Read about the performance here

2:00 - Tonga 26-12 Kenya

Tonga has held on for a 26-22 win over Kenya

Both teams were out to impress as Tonga took a 14-12 lead into the break.

The Tongans kicked cleared towards the end of the game as tries to Sioeli Filimoehala and Tevita Manukea put the game out of reach despite a late Kenyan fightback

1:45 - Argentina 19-17 USA

Argentina have mounted an impressive comeback to defeat USA 19-17

USA raced out to an early 17-0 lead before Argentina clawed their way back into the contest.

Rodrigo Isgro raced away before Marcos Moneta's chip and chase gave them a late lead, surviving a late USA rally for the crucial win

1:18 - Japan 19-24 Uruguay

A late charge from Uruguay has given them a 24-19 win over Japan.

After an early Uruguay try, Japan hit back through Kazuma Ueda, with tries to Moeki Fukushi and Ren Miyagami giving them the lead.

Mateo Vinals levelled the scores with two minutes to go before Baltazar Amaya crossed in the corner to win it.

1:00 - Canada 24-21 Brazil

Canada have produced a brilliant comeback to defeat Brazil 24-21.

Thaila Costa almost single-handled won Brazil the game, streaking away for a hat-trick.

However, the Canadians held tough and Fancy Bermudez Chavez crossed twice in three minutes to get them the win.

12:35 - Spain 29-0 PNG

Spain have finished 11th in the Women's competition with a 29-0 win over Papua New Guinea.

After a close start, Claudia Peña Hidalgo blew the game open in the second half.

The 18-year-old finished with a hat-trick in the final five minutes as they end their tournament on a high

12:12 - Fiji 40-7 Japan

Fiji will face Australia in the fifth-place playoff after a 40-7 demolition of Japan.

Younis Bese set the tempo with a first-half double, delighting the strong Fijian crowd.

She was supported by Lavena Cavuru, who crossed for two of her own as they cruised to victory

11:32 - Australia 19-0 Great Britain

Australia have rebounded with a 19-0 win over Great Britain

After a sloppy start, the Aussies cruised home in the second half to secure the victory.

Click here for further information on the match

11:23 - Argentina 19-12 Japan

Argentina have booked their place in the ninth-place semis with a 19-12 win over Japan

They started strong through tries to Alfonso Latorre and Santiago Vera Feld to take a 12-7 lead into the break.

A yellow card to Santiago Alvarez provided the chance for Japan to hit back, but couldn't make use of their opportunities as Rodrigo Isgro scored his fourth as they held on despite a late Japanese charge

11:05 - Tonga 35-14 Canada

Tonga have cruised to a 35-14 win over Canada

The invitational team stunned the Canadians before the break with two late tries to take a 21-0 lead into the break

Kyren Taumoefolau's try at the start of the half extended the lead, with the Tongans holding on for the win despite two late tries to Canada

10:40 - Kenya 17-12 Spain

Kenya have defeated Spain in a thriller, claiming the 17-12 during extra-time

The scores were locked at 12-all until the end of the match as both teams traded tries, with Spain missing a golden opportunity on the siren as a wayward pass went into touch.

Denis Abukuse proved the hero, racing away to score in front of a vocal pocket of Kenyan fans

10:12 - USA 14-12 Uruguay

Onto the Men's ninth-place QFs as the USA survives a major scare to overcome Uruguay 14-12

In a tight start to the game, Malacchi Esdale's late effort gave the USA a 14-7 lead at the break.

Mateo Vinals reduced the margin to two after the break for Uruguay, with the Americans forced to fight for victory as they look to keep their top four standing on the ladder

9:55 - Brazil 41-0 PNG

Brazil have thumped Papua New Guinea 41-0

Thaila Costa continues her incredible World Series, crossing for a first-half double as the Brazilians raced out to a 24-0 lead.

Gabriela Lima added to the dominant performance with three tries of her own to secure Brazil's place in the ninth-place playoff with Canada

9:30 - Canada 27-10 Spain

Canada will fight for ninth after their 27-10 win over Spain

A double to Paula Requena kept Spain in the contest early, however, it was Canada that took a 17-10 lead into the break, capitalising on a Claudia Peña Hidalgo yellow card.

A yellow card to Ingrid Algar allowed the Canadians to further extend their lead, with Alysia Corrigan sealing the win in the final minute

8:50 - Schedule for today

Day three commences with the battle for position before the semi-finals kick off later in the afternoon

In the opening session of the day, Canada and Spain face off in the ninth-place playoff semis along with Brazil taking on Papua New Guinea.

The first sign of the locals will be at 11:32 am when the Women take on Great Britain, whilst the Men face a tough task against Samoa.

Check out all the details below.

Women’s 9th Place Semis

Canada v Spain 9:10 am

Brazil v Papua New Guinea, 9:32 am

Men’s 9th Place Quarter Finals

USA v Uruguay, 9:54 am

Kenya v Spain, 10:16 am

Tonga v Canada 10:38 am

Argentina v Japan 11:00 am

Women’s 5th Place Semis/Place Playoffs

Great Britain v Australia, 11:32 am

Fiji v Japan 11:54 am

PNG v Spain 12:16 pm

Canada v Brazil 12:38 pm

Place Semi-Finals

13th Place SF: Loser 9th Place QF 1 v Loser 9th Place QF 4, 1:00 pm

9th Place SF: Winner 9th Place QF 1 v Winner 9th Place QF 4, 1:22 pm

9th Place SF: Winner 9th Place QF 2 v Winner 9th Place QF 3, 1:44 pm

5th Place SF: Samoa v Australia, 2:06 pm

5th Place SF: Ireland v Great Britain, 2:28 pm

13th Place SF: Loser 9th Place QF 2 v Loser 9th Place QF 3, 2:50 pm

Women’s Semi-Finals

USA v France, 3:22 pm

Ireland v New Zealand, 3:44 pm

Men’s Semi-Finals

New Zealand v France, 4:06 pm

South Africa v Fiji, 4:28 pm

Place Playoffs

Women’s

7th Place Playoff, 5:00 pm

5th Place Playoff, 5:22 pm

Men’s

13th Place Playoff, 5:44 pm

9th Place Playoff: 6:06 pm

5th Place Playoff: 6:28 pm

Medal Matches
Women’s Bronze Medal Final: 7:07 pm
Men’s Bronze Medal Final: 7:29 pm
Women’s Gold Medal Final: 7:56 pm
Men’s Gold Medal Final: 8:26 pm

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