HSBC SVNS: Uruguay shock New Zealand and Fiji in Perth

Uruguay sprang not one but two day one surprises in Perth as the third round of the HSBC SVNS Series got under way in style, as early afternoon temperatures soared past 30C before early evening brought a stiff breeze and rain at HBF Park.

The South American side grabbed the headlines in at the end of the opening day, while Olympic champions France and Dubai finalists Spain continued their strong early form on the tour this season, and South Africa head into Saturday in pole position in Pool A.

POOL A: Blitzboks take charge of difficult Pool

Hosts Australia scored three converted tries in the closing three minutes of the second half of a dramatic encounter against Argentina as they came back from 26-5 down to send their opening match under the scorching Perth afternoon sun into golden point territory. 

But Los Pumas’ Tobias Wade scored his second of the game to settle matters in favour of reigning Perth champions in the first period of extra time. It finished 31-26.

After Argentina-Australia had got the Perth crowd on their feet, South Africa and USA dished up another toe-to-toe thriller. Ronald Brown eventually settled the result with a touchdown in the final minute, as the Blitzboks won 24-19.

Argentina were dragged into extra time again late in the day against USA. A late try for Santiago Alvarez looked to have decided a hard-fought game. But Jack Wendling levelled the scores at 19-19 with the clock in the red. As conditions became more difficult, USA survived a prolonged period of pressure before Faitala Talapusi went 85m to claim a 24-19 win.

South Africa enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half of a hard-fought match against Australia, but went in at the break 7-5 down, after James Turner charged over just before the break. David Brits forced his way to the line after 12 minutes to bag the win 10-7.

The Blitzboks face a difficult final match against Argentina, while USA take on Australia, with all four sides still in the hunt for a quarter-final place.

POOL B: France and Spain set up Saturday pool decider

France captain Paulin Riva marked his 50th tournament for Les Bleus’ sevens with a first-half brace as the Olympic champions and Cape Town runners-up opened their account in Perth with a hard-fought 14-5 win over Ireland.

They had to work even harder in their second outing, surviving two spells a player down to yellow cards, as they beat Great Britain 12-0, Jordan Sepho and Celian Pouzelgues scoring their tries.

Spain, runners-up in Dubai and fourth in Cape Town, held off a determined challenge from Great Britain to win their opening match in Perth 12-7 – before Eduardo Lopez scored two of their three tries as they beat Ireland 21-5.

France and Spain will meet on Saturday to decide the top two spots, while Great Britain and Ireland will battle it out for third in the pool.

POOL C – Uruguay spring double day one shocks 

“It’s a huge win for us,” Uruguay captain Diego Ardao said shortly after Uruguay stunned Dubai champions Fiji in the opening day’s second match, coming back from 17-0 down to win 24-17 and avenge their 70-7 loss in Cape Town in December as temperatures soared in Perth.

But that result was nothing compared to what happened later as a memorable debut for Ignacio Rodriguez, who scored within 10 seconds of the kick-off and added a second at the end of the first half, saw Uruguay beat New Zealand 17-12 to record their first-ever win over the All Blacks Sevens and make certain of a place in the top eight.

After their opening match upset, Fiji recovered to come from behind and beat Kenya 21-14, extending their winning streak over the African nation to 14 matches.

Earlier three unanswered second-half tries saw New Zealand open their account at Perth with a 29-14 win over an effervescent Kenya, after Frank Vaenuku got things off to a spectacular start with a memorable first international sevens try.

Uruguay will look to complete a memorable Pool C sweep against Kenya on Saturday, while New Zealand face Fiji.