World Rugby Sevens: Australia claim first season crown after finishing third in Los Angeles
- Victory over Samoa secures title for John Manenti’s team as campaign comes down to final day
- Australia only fifth team to claim the title since it was first awarded in 2000, following the Kiwis, Samoa, South Africa and Fiji
Australia won a first World Rugby Sevens Series men’s season crown on Sunday with a third-place finish at the campaign-ending Los Angeles Sevens tournament.
The Aussies beat Samoa 21-7 in the third-place match to decide the title as a nine-month fight came down to the final day with Fiji, Argentina, South Africa and Australia all in the hunt for the throne.
Australia became only the fifth nation to claim the title since it was first awarded in 2000, following the Kiwis, Samoa, South Africa and Fiji.
“Quite surreal to be honest. I can’t believe we’re here,” John Manenti, the Australia coach, said. “The boys worked hard.
“We’ve had our ups and downs. But these kids fought hard and I’m so proud of them. I’m so happy for them. We’ve done something they will remember forever.”
New Zealand beat Fiji 28-21 in the Los Angeles final, giving the Kiwis their first tournament title of the season.
Fiji won at Singapore in April and in France in May while South Africa won four times and the Aussies won their only tournament at London in May.
Under a special points system used this season because of Covid-19, each team’s total includes its best seven results from the campaign.
