In a memorable weekend of rugby sevens action, Australia’s women’s team captured the Perth Sevens crown, while the injury-hit men’s side finished as runners-up to a dominant Argentinian squad.
Women End Home Drought in Thriller
The Australian women broke a seven-year tournament drought on home soil, outlasting arch-rivals New Zealand 28-26 in a pulsating final at HBF Park. In a match where both teams scored four tries apiece, it was the hosts who held their nerve to secure a long-awaited triumph in front of their passionate fans.
Rising star Heidi Dennis was the hero, scoring two crucial tries to earn player of the final honors. The 19-year-old stepped up in the absence of injured speedsters Maddison Levi and Faith Nathan to guide her team to glory.
It was such an amazing feeling to win on home soil and hear the crowd erupt. This team never gives up and we showed that fighting spirit today.
– Co-captain Charlotte Caslick
In a see-sawing decider, New Zealand drew first blood through Michaela Brake, before Dennis hit back to level the scores. Tia Hinds then dummied her way to the line to put Australia ahead 14-7.
The Black Ferns Sevens refused to yield, with Kelsey Teneti crossing to square things up at 14-14 heading into halftime. An electric second half saw long-range tries to Caslick and Dennis for Australia, and Brake and Risi Pouri-Lane for New Zealand, before the hosts held on for a nail-biting two-point win.
Road to the Final
The Aussies showed their title credentials with a hard-fought 24-17 victory over Canada in the semi-finals. The Kiwis, meanwhile, were in ominous form, brushing past France 36-7, with Brake running in four tries.
In the bronze medal playoff, France edged out Canada 14-7 to round out the podium. The Perth triumph lifts Australia to within two points of series leaders New Zealand with three rounds remaining.
Men Outmuscled by Argentina
Australia’s men endured a 41-5 drubbing at the hands of reigning world champions Argentina in their Cup final. Missing key players Henry Hutchison, Hayden Sargeant and James Turner to injury, the undermanned Aussies were no match for the powerful South Americans.
- Argentina ran in seven unanswered tries in a ruthless display
- Teenage sensation Hadley Tonga scored Australia’s sole five-pointer with an individual effort
- The heavy defeat was a carbon copy of last year’s final where Argentina prevailed 31-5
We were completely outplayed today. Argentina’s power, pace and skill was on another level and we couldn’t match it with our injury toll.
– Australian coach John Manenti
Despite the crushing loss, reaching the final represents Australia’s best result of the season to date. They now sit sixth on the overall standings.
Argentina Join Leaders
Argentina’s commanding win catapulted them to equal first on the series ladder alongside Fiji and Spain. The Spanish claimed consecutive bronze, pipping South Africa 14-7 in a tight tussle.
With half of the 2022 World Series season complete, the race to qualify for the 2025 Olympics is heating up. The top four nations at the end of the campaign will book their tickets to Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways
- Australia’s women overcame key injuries to end seven-year title drought on home soil
- Heidi Dennis announced herself as a star of the future with two tries in the final
- Australia’s men no match for Argentina, suffering second straight heavy loss in decider
- Argentina join Fiji and Spain atop men’s standings at halfway mark of season
- Race for Olympic qualification heating up with top four to secure Paris 2025 berths
