Series leaders Argentina open Los Angeles Sevens with a win
Los Angeles, United States, AFP: Argentina, chasing a fourth straight victory in the World Rugby SVNS Series, launched their Los Angeles Sevens campaign on Friday with a 28-21 victory over Spain on Friday.
Leading off Pool ‘A’ action, Argentina started strong with tries from Tobias Wade and Marcos Moneta to lead 14-0. Spain pulled level, however, with tries from Nico Nieto and Pol Pla. Argentina, coming off a third straight Vancouver Sevens triumph on Sunday, looked out of sorts, but their set piece excellence was on display as Joaquin Pellandini went over from a midfield scrum.
The scrum was the source again as Moneta powered over for their fourth before Jeremy Trevithick delivered a highlight-reel try for Spain. Ireland, fueled by three tries in the first half, defeated South Africa 17-0 to set up a tantalizing Pool ‘A’ clash with Argentina on Saturday.
Elsewhere on the opening day, Australia defeated Vancouver runners-up New Zealand 24-17, the host United States beat Samoa 31-12, and France — with a try from former World Rugby Player of the Year Antoine Dupont — thumped Canada 24-7.
Dupont, France’s regular 15-a-side captain and scrum-half who has switched to sevens in a bid for Olympic glory in Pairs, added a late try in France’s Pool ‘C’ victory over Canada. The French, coming off a third-place finish in Vancouver where Dupont made his debut in the series, had already taken the lead thanks to tries from William Iraguha and Stephen Parez.