Fiji once again reigned supreme in the world of rugby 7s as they saw off a spirited and quickly improving Irish team 29 – 17 in the final of the Toulouse sevens.
Toulouse will be remembered as the tournament of the giant killers as several of the series big names fell early.
Both South Africa and New Zealand failed to progress to the quarterfinals whilst England, Argentina and Australia all fell at the quarterfinal stage.
Whilst on the topic of England and Argentina, the two were involved in one of the strangest moments in 7s series history.
Following a slow start to the season and a then covid-19 enforced absence in round four, the flying Fijians have rebounded with two tournament wins in the past three.
At the heart of this change in fortunes has been the Pacific Islanders ability to produce the spectacular at any moment.
Whilst catching series leaders South Africa or second place Argentina looks like a long shot with just two tournaments remaining it is not completely impossible.
Having started the season off in red hot form with four tournament wins on the bounce, South Africa’s Blitzbokke appear to have lost their way at a crucial point in the season with back-to-back poor showings in Singapore and Vancouver.
Argentina’s Los Pumas have been very consistent all season with several semi-final appearances being capped off with a tournament win in Vancouver.
Australia who currently occupy third position have been steady without being spectacular but certainly have it within themselves to pick up a tournament win.
The USA and Ireland are the other two teams currently ahead of the Fijians with both sides certainly having the potential to challenge for a tournament in the final two rounds.
All in all the HSBC 7s has once again proven just why it has such a global appeal with incredibly tight action across the full season. With two rounds to play picking a winner has become increasingly more interesting.
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