France were crowned HSBC SVNS 2024 Champions after a stunning 19-5 victory over Argentina in the final, denying Los Pumas Sevens the League Winners the double in Madrid.
Having broken their 19-year cup drought with their victory in Vancouver, France took advantage of a Los Pumas Sevens yellow with two second half tries to pull away from the side they’d already lost to in Madrid in the pool stage.
The game ended in regretful scenes as Rodrigo Isgro was shown red for an illegal tackle.
Elsewhere, Fiji beat New Zealand for the second time this weekend to win bronze, equalling their best result of the season with the Olympics on the horizon.
In the HSBC Play-off, Samoa and Canada lost their places on the HSBC SVNS series as the USA and Spain retained their own with victories, with new faces Kenya and Uruguay joining them.
HSBC SVNS Championship
Final
A nervy opening few minutes saw France pressuring Argentina in defence, and they almost had the opener through, but a last-ditch tackle from Rodrigo Isgro saved Los Pumas Sevens.
Instead, it was Luciano Gonzalez who got the opener, a strong left-hand fend on an outside break sending him over in the left corner for the opener in the final.
With the first half all but over, France got themselves back in the game with a stunning try that started in their own try-line, finished by hometown boy Stephen Parez to edge them 7-5 ahead.
An early second half yellow for Isgro piled the pressure on Los Pumas Sevens, but with the try-line begging for Les Blues, Tomas Elizalde pulled off a skilful try-saver to keep his side in it. Jefferson-Lee Joseph, however, would score before Argentina could get back to full numbers to take them 12 points ahead.
France were on top, and Argentina couldn’t wrestle the momentum back, Paulin Riva sealing the Championship with a final try,
Semi-finals
Fiji v France
Fiji crossed first in this encounter, Joji Nasova opening the scoring, but Theo Forner soon hit back for France. Fiji, however, would take the lead into the break thanks to a vintage Fijian try full of flair was finished off by Iowane Temba.
France weren’t out of it yet however, and were the first on the scoresheet in the second half, some good hands finding Rayan Rebbadj, and after a long period of attack they took the lead, a converted Jefferson-Lee Joseph leaving Fiji needing one of their own to level things up.
Striding through the middle, Fiji gave themselves a final attacking chance, but a mistake at the ruck handed France a 21-14 win and a shot at Grand Final glory.
Argentina v New Zealand
After two scores a piece it was all square at the break between Argentina and New Zealand, Matteo Graziano doubling up to counter scores from Joe Webber and Moses Leo.
Los Pumas Sevens were on top for much of the second half, a hattrick try from Graziano confirming their superiority with two minutes to go.
They trusted their defence, and a perfectly timed tackle from Isgro pinned New Zealand back in their half. The All Blacks gave it one last shot 30 seconds left, enough for Argentina to have a chance at the double.
Bronze final
An even first half saw both Fiji and New Zealand exchange early tries. A runaway score from Ponepati Loganimasi looked sure to give Fiji the lead at the break, and while Dylan Collier hit back for New Zealand, they just about held on to a two-point advantage.
Iowane Teba extended the lead in the second half, and held out New Zealand for the rest of the half, but needed to pickpocket Brady Rush as he strode away to the line in the final play to ensure their 17-10 win, their second over New Zealand this weekend.
