Outsiders Wales ripped up the formbook to beat Argentina 19-12 and claim the Rugby World Cup Sevens title in Dubai on Saturday.
Wales, largely a second-tier team on the IRB World Sevens Series that has never before reached a final, showed great poise on the third day of competition, stunning New Zealand and Samoa in the quarter and semi-finals.
In the 20-minute final, Wales outscored the Pumas three tries to two, showing greater tactical nous and individual skill against a flagging Argentinian side.
PHOTO: AFP
“In all fairness we didn’t expect to be sat here as winners,” said Wales captain Lee Beach, whose side were an 80-to-one outside bet coming into the tournament, which is held once every four years.
“But we have peaked and gelled really well at the right time. Our win over New Zealand gave us a lot of confidence and we just managed to carry it through,” Beach said. “We have a lot of strength in depth and we’ve been fortunate enough to have kept the squad together and it finally paid off.”
Wales coach Paul John said his side had earned the Melrose Cup.
“We’ve had a cracking day and played some cracking sevens. We played well in three games and we thoroughly deserved it,” he said.
Wales’ Richie Pugh opened the scoring, the once-capped international flanker sprinting clear into the corner after a long pass from irrepressible sweeper Lee Williams.
Argentina hit back through Martin Rodriguez, who latched on to a loose pass to scoot in for a try he converted from the touchline.
Williams was everywhere for the Welsh in defense, coming up with try-saving tackles on Lucas Amorosino and Santiago Cora.
It was, however, another of Wales’ one-cap wonders who extended the Welsh lead. Winger Tal Selley continued his fine tournament form with a dummy, step and sharp acceleration for a 60m run-in. Aled Thomas nailed the conversion to hand Wales a 12-7 half-time lead.
In a closely fought second half, which unusually featured several instances of kicking ping-pong, Argentina were the first to score after almost six minutes of play through Gonzalo Camacho.
But Thomas had the last word, showing a fine turn of speed to skip out of desperate cover tackle and cross for the decisive try, which he also converted.
The knockout stage of the competition had heralded a day of upsets at the Sevens Stadium.
Aside from Wales, Kenya sensationally beat defending champions Fiji in the quarter-finals but could not continue their giant-killing against the rugged Argentina side.
South Africa, joint leaders of the IRB World Series Sevens with England, exited in the quarter-finals at the hands of Argentina.
England were beaten in sudden death by Samoa, a loss coach Ben Ryan said was a “pretty bitter pill to swallow.”
Scotland trumped Australia 21-17 to win the Plate, while Zimbabwe made sure of some African silverware in beating Ireland 17-14 for the Bowl title.
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