Australia Win Rugby Sevens Series for First Time

(29 August 2022, 11:08 +07)  Australia have been crowned HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Champions for the first time after securing the bronze medal in Los Angeles over the weekend.

Australia, who finished second in 2001 and third in 2000 and 2010, are only the fifth country ever to win the series after New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Samoa.

Australia beat Samoa 21-7 in LA to give them bronze and claim the series title with 126 points, two ahead of South Africa in second position and four ahead of Fiji in third.

New Zealand beat Fiji 28-21 to take gold in a pulsating Los Angeles final, thanks to a late try from Moses Leo, converted by Kurt Baker.

Australia have been crowned HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Champions for the first time

“It is quite surreal to be honest. It has been an amazing six months or so with the boys, we have had our ups and downs, but these kids have fought hard and they deserve this and it is something that they will remember for ever,” said John Manenti, Australia Head Coach. “This season we wanted to be consistent from day one and we didn’t get there every tournament, but in general this overall victory is all about the consistency the boys have shown.”

In one of the most closely contested series title races in the history of the competition, which began in 1999-2000, South Africa were leading the standings going into the ninth and final event having got off to a flying start by winning the first four rounds of the series.

However the Blitzboks were unable to qualify for the quarter finals in LA which opened the door for either Australia, Argentina or Fiji to overtake them and claim the title.

South Africa will be looking to bounce back on home turf when they host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, which takes place in Cape Town from 9- 11 September.

With an unique series scoring system in place for the 2022 Series due to the impact of the global pandemic, each team’s end of season total is calculated by taking their best seven results from the nine series events.

Following the decision for England, Scotland and Wales to combine as a unified Great Britain team in the 2023 Series, no team is relegated from the 2022 Series. Uruguay will join the 2023 Series as a core team following their victory at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series earlier in August.

The men’s 2023 Series begins in Hong Kong on 4-6 November 2022.

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.

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