Rugby
European teams dominate at Los Angeles 7's─── 10:36 Sun, 03 Mar 2024
It will be an all European affair for the Los Angeles 7’s title. The four teams who will fight it ought in the semi-finals are Spain – the first time they’ve ever reach a Sevens semi-final – France, Ireland and Great Britain.
The Blitzboks beat Spain 22 – 19 on Saturday, but losses to series-leaders Argentina and Ireland saw them finish bottom of their group.
Spain drew the short straw against Fiji in the quarter-final, but two cards did Fiji no favours and Spain downed the 5-man team by 21 – 19. This is the first time in 11 attempts that they won a quarter-final match and advance into the semi-finals.
Ireland, who barely made it out of their pool beat Argentina by 24 – 14 to take their place against France in the semi-finals. The French earlier in the day dashed the hopes of hosts USA by beating them 14 – 0. Great Britain scored at the death against Australia to win 26 – 19 and book their semi-final date with Spain.
Some good news for South Africa is that the women’s team progressed to the quarter-final stage for the first time this season, with a 19 – 7 victory over Olympic bronze medalists Fiji. They will face hosts the USA in their quarter-final match later today.
OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger
