TOULOUSE, FRANCE — The three contenders for the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title faced setbacks on a thrilling opening day at the HSBC France Sevens as South Africa, Argentina and Australia suffered shock defeats, but women’s champions Australia showed no signs of slowing down in Toulouse.
The full complement of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams lined up for the first time at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, which plays host to the final event of the women’s 2022 Series and the third-last of the men’s campaign.
The battle for the men’s Series title is tight at the top, with 11 points separating the top three teams ahead of the France event: South Africa (111 points), Argentina (105) and Australia (100).
But all three were beaten on Friday, as South Africa suffered their first-ever Series defeat to an impressive Ireland side, before the USA took down Australia and Canada snatched a late win over second-ranked Argentina, winners of the previous round in Vancouver.
Those results leave the race for the men’s Series title wide open, with England, France, New Zealand and Samoa topping the four Pools ahead of Saturday’s action.
With four victories from the opening five rounds Australia were crowned women’s Series champions in Langford earlier this month and they are on course to finish the season on a high after kicking off with back-to-back wins over South Africa and Fiji.
However, they could face fierce competition once again from Olympic gold medallists New Zealand, who scored 74 points without reply in their victories over Scotland and Spain, in just their second Series appearance of the season after Langford.
Hosts France also kicked off with two wins from two to the delight of the vibrant and youthful home crowd, as did Canada and Ireland.
World Rugby Media Release
Photo credit: World Rugby
