SINGAPORE — New Zealand secured HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series gold on a dramatic final day to cap off a scintillating weekend of rugby sevens in Singapore and officially become the first men’s team to qualify for Paris 2024.
New Zealand won the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens title with a narrow 19-17 defeat of Argentina to cap an enthralling weekend of sevens that also saw them become the first men’s team to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The All Blacks Sevens followed up their success in Hong Kong last weekend with their fourth title of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 to move closer to a 14th overall title since the Series began in 1999-2000.
Having already booked their ticket to Paris 2024, joining hosts France, New Zealand had to survive an Argentina fight-back in the Cup final with Brady Rush’s try proving the match-winner.
All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw said: “We have been driving for Olympic qualification since the season kicked off. To achieve our goal is great, but we still have two tournaments to go. As a team our focus now shifts to our next tournament in Toulouse and continue to grow as a group and finish the season strong.”
Argentina had needed a golden-point try to beat Samoa in the semi-finals and there was more heartbreak for the Pacific islanders in the bronze final when Fiji scored 17 unanswered points to triumph 24-19 at Singapore Sports Hub.
Samoa’s appearance in the semi-finals, though, has seen them climb to sixth in the standings and only one point behind Australia in the race for the fourth qualification spot for Paris 2024. Australia and Samoa both capitalised on a disappointing weekend for South Africa, who only collected five points.
New Zealand’s victory means they now lead the standings by 24 points and with only a maximum of 42 points available in Toulouse and London, the All Blacks Sevens could wrap up the 2023 Series title in France next month.
Hamilton and Vancouver winners Argentina (140) sit second behind New Zealand and are closely trailed by Hong Kong runners-up Fiji with 130 points, Paris 2024 hosts France with 122 points, Australia on 112, Samoa a point further back and South Africa on 106 points.
The men’s Series has seen five different winners (Australia, Samoa, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand) through the opening nine tournaments.
The stakes also couldn’t be higher at the bottom end of the men’s Series this season.
Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face-off in London against the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.
As it stands, Japan (16 points) hold the lowest ranking among core teams but the race to avoid the relegation play-off took another twist with Uruguay (49 points) returning to 11th after their run to the Cup quarter-finals in Singapore. Uruguay, Spain (48), Kenya (37), Canada (24) and Japan will all be fervently trying to accumulate points in Toulouse.
The teams now take a break before the action resumes with the combined men’s and women’s events at the HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse on 12-14 May.
Men’s Series leaders New Zealand will meet Uruguay, Kenya and Canada in Pool A, while Singapore runners-up Argentina tackle Great Britain, Spain and the invitational side Germany in Pool B.
Fiji, bronze medallists in Singapore, face a tricky task with hosts France, South Africa and USA their opponents in Pool C, with Samoa, Australia, Japan and Ireland making up Pool D.
In the women’s event, Series leaders New Zealand headline Pool A with Canada, USA and invitational side Poland their opponents in Toulouse.
Australia will meet hosts France, Ireland and Brazil in Pool B, while Great Britain, Fiji, Spain and Japan make up Pool C.
World Rugby Media Release
Photo Credit: World Rugby
