Fiji, Argentina, France and New Zealand in the quarter-finals
Fiji, Argentina, France and New Zealand's hopes of becoming HSBC SVNS 2024 champions remain alive, as they face off in the semi-finals on Sunday 2 June. Despite a difficult start to the season, Fiji won all three of their matches in Madrid, producing some of their best performances of the season in thrilling matches against New Zealand and Ireland.
Argentina also regained its level after being three tournaments behind, and maintained its unbeaten record in Madrid after defeating France and Australia to top Group A. They face New Zealand on Sunday, while Fiji plays France.
In the HSBC SVNS Men's Qualifiers, we are guaranteed to have two new sides in the series next season, as all four SVNS 2024 teams face off in the qualifying finals, with the USA taking on Samoa and Spain taking on Canada.
HSBC SVNS Male
Baraka A
Argentina, with wins over France and Australia, secured their place at the top of Group A in Madrid. A 14-0 first-half lead over France, followed by two more tries in the second half, gave them a 26-12 win. Against Australia, the encounter was closer, as the Argentines came back from 5-0 down in the first half thanks to tries from Santiago Alvarez and Mateo Graziano to win 14-5.
France, needing a win to advance to the semi-finals, beat Great Britain in their second match, but had to go to extra time. After a fierce battle with the score at 12-12 at the end of regulation time, Nelson Ibe's speed on the left wing allowed France to crush Great Britain's hopes.
For Great Britain, it was their second narrow defeat of the day, following a 19-14 loss to Australia, with Ben Dowling scoring the decisive try in the last minute. The two teams were tied 7-7 at halftime, but a late rally gave Australia the game.
Baraka b
Fiji dominated Ireland from the start, with first-half tries from Gogi Nasova and Gerry Twai giving them a 14-7 lead at half-time. Fiji maintained their advantage until the end, as a Therio Velawa effort allowed Naduvalu to score, although Jordan Conroy attempted for Ireland to level the score thanks to a Hugo Lennox conversion. Naduvalu then scored his second try into the right corner to secure Fiji's victory.
In their second match, Fiji defeated South Africa 26-7, converted a 21-0 half-time lead into a decisive win, and qualified for the semi-finals.
After defeats to Fiji and Ireland on the opening day, New Zealand and South Africa faced off in a crucial match which the All Blacks Sevens won in the dying moments thanks to a Moses Liu try. New Zealand led 14-10 at half-time, but South Africa took the lead with a minute to go thanks to a Quinnen Nortje try. The All Blacks Sevens remained patient and after Leo's try, Aquila Rukuliswa added a final point.
The suspense did not end there for New Zealand, which had to resort to last-minute play to beat Ireland and qualify for the semi-finals. Hugo Keenan gave his side one last chance, but Regan Weir dashed Ireland's hopes.
HSBC SVNS Men's Dam
Baraka A
The United States won a close match against its North American rival, Canada, 14-7, securing its place at the top of the standings and dooming Canada to three defeats in the Madrid group. Josiah Mora equalized for Canada four minutes before the end of the game, but Malaki Isdal secured the victory for the United States, giving them a place in the semi-finals against Samoa.
Elsewhere, Uruguay scored four attempts to beat Germany 26-14, qualifying for the semi-finals against Chile.
Baraka b
Kenya beat Chile 36-7 in their final group match and will meet Germany again to try to regain their place in the series next year. Meanwhile, Spain won 31-0 over Samoa, but will have to beat Canada to remain a starting team.