The London 7s have finished in fabulous fashion, with Argentina triumphing over Fiji 35-14 in the final. The weather held out for a beautiful weekend of running rugby, as London held the final World Rugby Sevens Series of the season.
Champs in London ✅@lospumas 🇦🇷 have won #London7s GOLD 🏅
Look at what it means to them! 🥳#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/PkIRMOY6Sr
ADVERTISEMENT— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) May 21, 2023
Despite being knocked out in the semi-finals, it was also a day of celebrations for the New Zealand sevens side as they clinched the series title.
🏆 The #HSBC7s 2022/23 Champions – @nz_sevens 🇳🇿#London7s pic.twitter.com/BatwP9ioW9
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) May 21, 2023
INCREDIBLE SCENES 👀
The final minutes of 🇫🇯 Fiji vs New Zealand 🇳🇿 have to be seen to be believed 🤯#London7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/bzIshrDmGh
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) May 21, 2023
Spare some thoughts for a dogged France side, however, as their tournament ambitions were cruelly cut short when trying to tie up the game:
What just happened?!
France run out of time to take the kick and New Zealand head to the semi-finals!#HSBC7s | #London7s pic.twitter.com/0vOZFALFAj
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) May 21, 2023
Fans were furious that the New Zealand players were allowed to walk in front of the kicker, with commenters on social media saying:
“Really poor officiating there, clock should have been off if players were moving towards the kicker. He may have missed it anyway, but ref should have allowed the kick to proceed as he is the ultimate arbitrator of time on the pitch…”.
“Ref got that very wrong! Opposition players need to be behind the posts until the kicker begins his kicking action! NZ got away with it there”.
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