All Blacks back on top in Cape Town
New Zealand took their first tournament win of 2017 after beating Argentina 38-14 in Cape Town to go top of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 10: New Zealand doing the haka after winning the 2017 HSBC Cape Town Sevens Cup Final match between New Zealand and Argentina at Cape Town Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
The All Blacks Sevens made up for their Cup final loss to South Africa in Dubai last weekend with a clinical display in front of a sold-out Cape Town Stadium.
Two tries from HSBC Player of the Final Joe Ravouvou combined with scores from Vilimoni Koroi, Tim Mikkelson, Regan Ware and Sione Molia to help head coach Clark Laidlaw’s side to victory over an Argentina side chasing their first Cup win since San Diego in 2009.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 10: Werner Kok of South Africa tackled by Andrew Knewstubb of New Zealand during day 2 of the 2017 HSBC Cape Town Sevens Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
“I’m so proud of how the boys played this weekend and last weekend,” said captain Scott Curry. “It could have gone either way after we lost our first pool match against USA yesterday but day two is another day.
“We started fresh today and really worked for each other and that’s what won it for us. We’ll look forward to our home tournament in Hamilton coming up soon – it’s a new city and they really love their rugby there.”
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Hosts South Africa were knocked out 19-12 in the Cup semi-final by New Zealand yet finished strongly to take third after beating Canada 19-17 in the bronze final.
New Zealand are now two points clear of South Africa in the overall HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018 standings with eight stops remaining. The teams will regroup in Sydney on 26-28 January.
