Ireland were left heartbroken in the final play of the Cup Final in Seville as Australia ran in a last-minute try to win the inaugural Spain 7s tournament.
Both Ireland's men and women advanced to the semi-final stage of the first ever Sevens World Series tournament in Seville. This was only the second leg of the series to take place in Spain, after the Malaga sevens a week earlier.
Anthony Eddy's men's team fought hard to finish second in their pool, just behind Argentina, who had beaten them in the pool stages.
However, Ireland beat England 24-12 in their quarter-final on Saturday to advance to only their second ever cup semi-final, after London in 2018.
Defence to attack in the blink of an eye
*This* is why the @Blitzboks are the team to beat @DHLrugby | #ImpactMoment pic.twitter.com/yGE3XKM3Ff— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
The men were faced with a near-impossible task in their semi-final, as they were up against the South Africa. The Blitzbokke have been unbeaten since 2020, and went on to win their sixth consecutive tournament, beating Australia in the final.
Selvyn Davis with the silky kicking skills
The @Blitzboks are through to yet another final#HSBC7s | #Spain7s pic.twitter.com/riNknWVLmN— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
After a hard-fought bronze playoff, Argentina would eventually finish third. They beat Ireland 12-5 before the cup finalists ran out.
Final minute heartbreak
The Irish women, on the other hand, made it to their first ever Cup Final by beating England in the semi, by a massive 29-0.
IRELAND GO CRAZY!! ☘️@IrishRugby are through to their first ever #HSBC7s final! 👏#Spain7s pic.twitter.com/KDpOEmHH6K
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
Beibhinn Parsons was in top try-scoring form, as was Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, as the pair of speedsters were vital in ensuring that Ireland were unbeaten en route to the final.
Murphy Crowe is, in fact, the leading women's try-scorer of the season.
Time to celebrate! 🎉
Beibhinn Parsons stretched to the line to make absolutely sure of @IrishRugby's place in their first ever Cup final@DHLrugby | #ImpactMoment pic.twitter.com/7qJ6iiig5v— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
Ireland looked to be in the driver's seat early on, with Parsons getting them off to a flier.
What a start for @IrishRugby in their first ever #HSBC7s final!
Beibhinn Parsons pounces on the loose ball and puts the afterburners on#HSBC7s | #Spain7s pic.twitter.com/O6Xi1n6mm6— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
However, Australia are the number one seeded women's team in the competition for a reason. A week earlier in Malaga, Ireland were narrowly beaten by Australia in the pool stages, and this weekend would be no different.
While the defensive work of Parsons, Murphy Crowe and their teammates was unmatched, Ireland eventually ran out of numbers, and Faith Nathan ran in the match-winning score in injury time.
Unbelievable!@Aussie7s do it when it matters as they win the final with the very last play @DHLrugby | #ImpactMoment pic.twitter.com/bSTtSX0jCy
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 30, 2022
The World Sevens Series will now take a break until after the Six Nations. The next tournament for the men will be in Singapore on the weekend of April 9-10th, while the women will be in Langford between April 30th and May 1st.
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