Argentina men and New Zealand women secured HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series gold on a dramatic day two in Hamilton.
Day one on Saturday had been brilliant, but day two surpassed that with some amazing action.
Argentina came back from 12-0 down to win the men’s Cup final 14-12.
USA took bronze, but it was all about Argentina and Gaston Revol said: “This is just amazing, we have worked so hard for this.
“To beat New Zealand in New Zealand is the ultimate and the team never knew when they were beaten, everyone put in a lot of effort.”
HSBC Player of the Final Rodrigo Isgro said: “This team just works so hard, what a feeling.”
New Zealand now lead the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings on 63 points with USA second on 61 points and Argentina third on 59 points.
Meanwhile, New Zealand were superb all weekend in the women’s event, scoring 225 points and conceding just 19.
In the Cup final, Michaela Blyde scored a hat-trick in a 33-7 win over USA and Sarah Hirini said: “It is so amazing to win our home tournament, the support have been brilliant and we are delighted.
“The team have given everything over the two days and we will enjoy this one.”
HSBC Player of the Final Blyde, who scored 10 tries in two days, said: “This one is extra special, it means a lot.”
New Zealand now lead the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings on 58 points with bronze medal winning Australia second on 54 points and USA third on 50 points.
MEN’S CUP FINAL
Argentina fought back from 12-0 down to win this breathless Cup final.
In the first half, New Zealand had to deal with a yellow card for Joe Webber, but they took the lead when down to six men.
Akuila Rokolisoa was the try scorer that time and, when back to seven, Roderick Solo scored a second try just before half-time. Rokolisoa converted and it was 12-0 at the interval.
The second half belonged to Argentina though and tries from Santiago Alvarez and Marcos Moneta – converted by Santiago Vera Feld and Tobias Wade respectively – put them 14-12 up.
There was then late, late drama as Brady Rush had a try effort disallowed for New Zealand, but Argentina did it.
For Argentina, this gold is their first medal of this current circuit and should give them momentum for the coming months.
New Zealand now have a bronze and two silvers from four events.
WOMEN’S CUP FINAL
New Zealand continued where they had left off earlier in the day – and indeed on Saturday – with another excellent performance to defeat USA and win gold.
A Michaela Blyde try double with one in the middle from Jazmin Felix-Hotham and three conversions from Tyla Nathan-Wong put them 21-0 up in the Cup final.
Cheta Emba rounded off a good personal weekend for her with a try for USA converted by Alena Olsen, but there was no stopping New Zealand.
Blyde completed her hat-trick and then Portia Woodman-Wickliffe completed things 33-7.
New Zealand now have a silver and two golds from three events while USA have two bronzes and a silver.
MEN’S BRONZE FINAL
France were 14-10 up over USA heading into the final minutes of the bronze final, but it was the latter who managed to medal after a winning five pointer from Ben Broselle.
Theo Forner and William Iraguha scored converted tries for France, but Aaron Cummings, David Still and Broselle did the job for the Americans as they edged it 15-14.
It was the USA’s second bronze in four events, backing up their third place in Cape Town last time out.
