The Australia has won its first Cup final in six years, beating South Africa 29-0 in Sydney, to give the home crowd a double title.

The Aussie men last won a title in 2012 in Tokyo, and have made just three Cup finals in the past two seasons, but this was a game where everything appeared to conspire in the home town’s favour.

Defence has been the cornerstone for the Aussie men all weekend and they showed early in the final that wasn’t going to change any time soon, desperately lunging at the Blitzboks.

Handling errors cost the Aussies as they tried to breach the South African defence but they continued to heap on the pressure, until a penalty gifted South Africa a chance.

It looked like Rosko Specman had the first points but it was a disallowed try, with the South African star derailed by Lachie Anderson and a TMO review determined he was in touch.

Finally, the weight of possession drew blood for Australia, with Lewis Holland just escaping the Blitzboks’ grasp and scoring the first try just before half-time.

And when it seemed the break would come, Australia gathered the kick-off and James Stannard ran into space and over the line, sparking up the Australian crowd, who had waited a long time to see a finish like this.

In the bronze playoff Argentina walloped USA 31-10 while New Zealand thrashed Fiji Airways Fijian 7s side 31-7 in the 5th place playoff.
STANDINGS

The Fijian 7s team have dropped to fifth place on the World Sevens Series standing after the Sydney Sevens. The Fijians have 40 points while South Africa have regained the lead with 58. New Zealand have slipped to second position with 54 while Australia have got 43 and Argentina are at fourth spot with 41 points.

DAY 3 RESULTS

Challenge Trophy quarters- Samoa 14-7 Canada, PNG 5-24 Wales, Scotland 12-17 Russia, France 21-7 Spain, Cup quarters- USA 24-7 Fiji, South Africa 17-0 Kenya, Australia 24-12 NZ, England 0- 10 Argentina; 13th Place SF- Canada 31-14 PNG, Scotland 21-14 Spain, Challenge Trophy SF- Samoa 12-17 Wales, Russia 0-22 France; 5th Place SF- Fiji 24-5 Kenya, NZ 10-5 England; Cup SF- USA 7-35 South Africa, Australia 28-0 Argentina; 13th Playoff- Canada 14-12 Scotland, Wales 12-29 France, 5th Place Final- Fiji 7-31 NZ; Bronze- Argentina 31-10 USA, Cup Final- South Africa 0-29 Australia.

Edited: Anasilini Ratuva

Feedback:  leonec@fijisun.com.fj