New Zealand wins back-to-back men's Rugby World Cup Sevens titles
Men's, women's both successfully retain crowns
SAN FRANCISCO — New Zealand's men's rugby sevens team retained its World Cup title and completed a Kiwi sweep after defeating England 33-12 on Sunday.
Sione Molia scored a pair of tries, while Joe Ravouvou Akuila Rokolisoa and Trael Joass each added one apiece. Kurt Baker kicked three conversions and Scott Curry kicked one. Curry was named the AIG Player of the Final, while Ravouvou earned the UL Mark of Excellence Award.
Mike Ellery and Ruaridh McConnochie scored England's tries, with Tom Mitchell kicking one conversion.
SHAKING. Absolutely shaking after that <a href="https://twitter.com/AllBlacks7s?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AllBlacks7s</a> haka<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RWC7s?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RWC7s</a> final recap here: <a href="https://t.co/jSQqC1bpeG">https://t.co/jSQqC1bpeG</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcrugby?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cbcrugby</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcsports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbcsports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rugbyunited?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rugbyunited</a> <a href="https://t.co/cYrJ62n20Q">pic.twitter.com/cYrJ62n20Q</a>
—@BenjaminKBlum
New Zealand's women's team also repeated as champions on Saturday, defeating France 29-0. The country's men's and women's 15s teams are also the current World Cup title holders.
South Africa won men's bronze with a 24-19 win over Fiji.
Canadian men finish in 12th place
Canada's men's team wrapped up its tournament with a 35-12 loss to Wales. With the result, the Canadian team placed 12th overall at the tournament.
Pat Kay and Isaac Kaay scored for Canada, while veteran Nate Hirayama left the pitch in the second half on concussion protocol according to Rugby Canada. Captain Harry Jones missed the final game due to a head injury assessment.
Earlier, the men's squad couldn't muster enough offence against Australia, losing 19-7 in the Challenge Trophy consolation semifinals.
Australia's sustained pressure with ball in hand put Canada on the defensive, while the team's physical play at the breakdown forced several turnovers in a messy match. Lucas Hammond scored the lone try for Canada, while Hirayama added the conversion.