World SVNS Series: Australia win women’s final in thriller over New Zealand, but men beaten by Argentina

Australia have outlasted New Zealand in a thrilling women’s final at the World Series SVNS in Perth, overcoming the absence of injured duo Maddison Levi and Faith Nathan to hold on and win 28-26 at HBF Park. But it was a case of deja vu all over again in the men’s final as Argentina retained their Perth crown as they thrashed an injury-hit Australia 41-5 in a replay of last year’s finale. With a sold-out final day for the second year running, fans packed out HBF Park as the two Australian sides bravely won through to the final despite both teams losing stars due to injury. Levi, whose thumb and forearm was in a cast and arm in a sling, and Nathan, who failed a Head Injury Assessment, were huge losses, but Australia’s depth prevailed. They went blow-for-blow with New Zealand to avenge last year’s heartbreak in the Perth final against Ireland. Michaela Brake threw off two tackles and powered down the right wing to give the Kiwis a 7-0 lead, but then Heidi Dennis returned serve to level the game, and a Tia Hinds jink and surge ended in five under the posts. Kelsey Teneti hit back before the break to level the game at 14-14 before Australia star Charlotte Caslick dummied and raced through a hole in New Zealand’s defence to restore the hosts’ advantage. Brake again found the try line to one again tie it up, only for Dennis grabbed her second of the night by finishing off a breakaway for Australia. The game’s key moment came late, when Risi Pouri-Lane score a try out wide for New Zealand, but her conversion attempt failed to hit the mark — and Australia did not cede that two-point lead, despite almost fumbling the ball away on their own try-line as time expired. It came after a masterful Argentina proved a class too good in the men’s final as they smacked a batter and bruised Australia. The home side were missing three starters in captain Henry Hutchison, try-threat James Turner and the valuable Hayden Sergeant, and their absence was felt as they failed to land a blow on the Argentinians. Marco Moneta broke the deadlock and then Luciano Gonzalez grabbed a second soon after to begin the procession. Australia’s hopes went up in smoke when Argentina won a scrum against the feed on the final play of the first half and Santiago Alvarez finished in the corner. Gonzalez added to his tally after the restart, before Matteo Graziano snared a second-half hat-trick to rub salt into the wounds. In his first sevens tournament, young gun Hadley Tonga grabbed a consolation try for Australia. In the bronze medal games, Spain saw off South Africa to finish third in the men’s competition, before France held off Canada in the women’s third-place play-off.