Australia has been defeated by Argentina in the Challenge Trophy Final losing 12-33 at the HSBC Paris Sevens tournament where South Africa has won the title and secured the Series.
The Aussies were caught off guard from the start as the Puma Sevens put in a huge performance running in three early tries before Australia even got on the board.
McNamara clawed back the deficit to have the Aussies 7-21 down at the break.
But Argentinian confidence was up as they kicked deep and contested strongly, finding gaps in Australia’s defensive line and capitalising on them.
Alex Gibbon added a second in between tries from Gaston Revol and Jose Barros Sosa, but the damage had been done.
For the Aussies, despite this final result, day two had started well, defeating Japan and Wales on the way to the final off the back of disappointing performances in the group round.
It had been a first day well below the standard the young Aussies had come to expect from themselves.
Aussie coach Andy Friend has spoken of both the disappointment of this weekend but also of the anticipation heading to London and the desire to bounce back.
“We were totally outplayed by Argentina. We weren’t cohesive and we paid the penalty," he said.
"At the end of the day we need to look at how we prepared and came into the tournament.
"In London, we’re going to have to fight hard because we want to get out of the bottom eight and back into the top eight, and win quarters, semis and then get into the final which we haven’t done all year."
Other Results
Scotland continued its giant-killing ways defeating Fiji, four tries to nil, in the quarter finals then holding off England in a close contest, winning the semi-final 19-17.
On the other side of the ledger, series leader South Africa got over Samoa with relative ease 12-0 in their quarter final.
They then battled with New Zealand for the right to play for the gold medal.
What started as a close contest blew out in the second half, a 26-5 scoreline showing why the Blitzboks have been so successful this year.
Having stormed through the first day with impressive performances to top its pool, last year’s winner Samoa finished in sixth losing to the USA in the playoff.
Samoa had earlier defeated France in the semis in what was an emotional farewell for fans and players alike as French sevens legend Julien Candelon was playing in his last home tournament, having announced his end-of-season retirement earlier this week.
MERCI JULIEN: France legend Julien Candelon bids farewell to France 7s with a try against Samoa at the #Paris7s! pic.twitter.com/8PEoSZLyyK
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 14, 2017
FINALS
Trophy final
Argentina defeated Australia 33-12
Your HSBC Paris Sevens Challenge Trophy winners are @unionargentina pic.twitter.com/3wvCVECTVD
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 14, 2017
Bronze Medal
New Zealand defeated England 12-5
Cup Final
South Africa defeated Scotland 15-5
While Scotland put up some strong resistance, South Africa did what it has done well all season as a team tackling hard and running into space to put the scores on the board.
Scotland was a deserved winner of the silver medal having played beyond expectation based on recent performances.
Werner Kok was named Player of the Final.
All teams will now cross the Channel and head to London for the final round of the 2016/2017 HSBC World Series where, no matter the results at Twickenham, South Africa will be officially crowned this season’s champions.
