Argentina dumped out in Singapore quarter-finals
Ireland beat Argentina 21-5 in a Singapore Sevens quarter-final matchup of the world series’ leading teams.
The front-running Argentines have lost only two quarter-finals this season, and Ireland dumped them both times.
Ireland, who have never won the series, were to have a chance yesterday to overtake Argentina in the standings and lead going into the Madrid grand final this month.
Argentina scored first from nothing when Tobias Wade broke out of his own 22. But with seconds left in the half, Jordan Conroy collected
Gavin Mullin’s kick ahead and they led 7-5.
The second half was all Ireland. A Connor O’sullivan break gave Terry Kennedy a series-leading 31st try, and after Matteo Graziano was sin-binned for a deliberate knockdown, Billy Dardis scored from the resulting scrum.
Ireland were to face Britain in the semifinals after Britain thrashed France 35-7. Britain backed into the quarters by downing the United States 21-19, saved by Charlton Kerr tackling Perry Baker out the back of the in-goal.
Titleholders New Zealand and Australia were to meet in the other semifinal. The Kiwis won their pool clash 26-10 on Saturday to stumble into the quarters.
The Irish scraped through as a third-placed pool team. They lost to Fiji 26-19 but Fiji had to win by eight points to advance at Ireland’s expense. Fiji, three-time champions, failed to reach the Singapore quarters for the first time.
South Africa were the only men’s team to reach the quarter-finals unbeaten and were favoured against Australia, who were depleted by two injuries and the departure of James Turner to his wife went in labour.
But the Australians led 17-5 at halftime, which should have been more. Dietrich Roache had a try ruled out for a double movement and a conversion hit the post.
A Roache try from a lineout steal put Australia 24-5 up with three minutes to go. But South Africa scored three tries in 21⁄2 minutes to force extra time. Deep in, Shilton van Wyk was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Roache and seconds later Nick Malouf’s cutback and score gave Australia a 29-24 win.
New Zealand twice came from behind to edge the US 19-14 on the back of Tone Ng Shiu’s late try.
The series-leading New Zealand women were on track to face secondplaced Australia in the final.
The pair and third-placed France have rolled into the semifinals, where New Zealand were to play Fiji, and Australia had drawn France.
● Play in Singapore continued after deadline for this edition. Log onto nzherald.co.nz for updates.