Rugby Sevens World Series 2022: Australia win maiden title as South Africa falls short

Despite only winning one event all season, an ultra-consistent Aussie side have defied the odds to become the Sevens World Series crown for the first time.

Coach John Manenti calls them his “ragtag mob of misfits” but the squad that had only six players contracted at the start of the season has made history for Australia, winning a maiden Sevens World Series title in Los Angeles.

The Aussies won just one event all season, last start in London, but were the most consistent side all year and suddenly found themselves in the box seat to win an inaugural title after series leaders South Africa failed to get past the group stages.

Despite being beaten by Fiji in the semi-finals, Australia bounced back to win the bronze-medal playoff against Samoa, with Dietrich Roache fittingly scoring the series-sealing try in the 21-7 victory.

The former rugby league flyer, who switched codes as a teen just four years ago after watching the Sydney Sevens, is a runaway leader in the world series pointscoring tally and has been a revelation for Australia.

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Australia has won a maiden Rugby Sevens World Series title. Picture: Getty Images.

Inspirational leader Nick Malouf has spent almost 10 years on the world sevens circuit and captained Australia at the Olympics, experiencing plenty of frustration in the past decade. But he was overjoyed when lifting the series trophy with his team.

“(I’m) Just proud. I look back to the start of this season, we had six guys contracted and when (coach) Johnny (Manenti) came in … we said from day one, all we wanted to do every day, we just wanted to be consistent,” Malouf said.

“I think for the first time in a while we’ve been able to do that every day at training and it’s coming out on the field.

“I’m so happy - I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.

“It’s a huge accomplishment for so much hard work and I couldn’t be happier for the whole squad, even the guys back at RA (Rugby Australia).

“Everyone’s contributed, it’s just fantastic for Australian rugby.”

"A huge accomplishment for so much hard work, I couldn't be prouder of the whole squad" 🤩

Nick Malouf, the captain to bring the Men's Series Championship to Australia for the first time 🏆🇦🇺#LA7s | #HSBC7s | @Aussie7spic.twitter.com/xPWS2rAY6x

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) August 29, 2022

The Aussies now sit on top of the world in the short format of the game after the women sealed their own world title in May.

It’s a great rebound for the Sevens program a year after both teams missed medals at the Tokyo Olympics last year when the women were defending their Rio Games title.

“Before the game we spoke about making three groups of people proud,” Malouf said.

“The first was Australians; the second was the name on our back, our families; and the third was the squad.

“I really hope that through this season we’ve done that, particularly (for) all the Aussies that have supported us through plenty of years on the circuit, we hope we made you proud and we love competing on behalf of your guys and it’s been so good to win this year.”

Australia was pitched into a race for the title with Argentina and Fiji after South Africa faltered on the opening day in LA.

Alexa, show me something beautiful! 😍#LA7s | #HSBC7s | @Aussie7spic.twitter.com/HihkHe8J6P

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) August 29, 2022

After losing their semi-final to Fiji, they needed to beat Samoa in the bronze-medal playoff to ensure a title with several title scenarios still in play.

Had they fallen at the final hurdle, Australia would have lost the title, with Fiji needing to win the tournament had the Aussies been fourth, to prevent South Africa from snaring the title.

Fiji eventually lost the final to New Zealand 28-21 after the Kiwis broke a deadlock with a last-minute try but Australia’s bronze - on the back of first-half tries from Corey Toole and Henry Paterson, to claw back an early deficit, and Roach’s matchwinner - ensured the trophy would head down under for the first time.

Two points was the eventual margin in the series standings, with Australia (126 points) taking the title from South Africa (124) and Fiji (122) when their best seven results of the year were tallied.

Both Australian teams will now be looking ahead to Paris in 2024, with Roach, who was a part of the Games team last year, taking a spot from former track sprinter Trae Williams, set to spearhead their bid.

You heard them 📣

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS 🏆#Aussie7s#LA7s#HSBC7spic.twitter.com/uw5bU6TIOB

— AU 7s (@Aussie7s) August 29, 2022

AUSSIES IN WITH CHANCE TO WIN INAUGURAL WORLD SEVENS

Australia is in line to snare a historic first men’s Sevens World Series title after leaders South Africa stumbled in the group stage of the final tournament of the year.

After winning the first four Sevens World Series events of the year, South Africa was in the box seat to win the title heading in the final event of the year in Los Angeles.

But after crashing out in the group stages, they have opened the door to Australia, Argentina and Fiji to lift the trophy.

Australia's Dietrich Roache escapes Argentina's Tobias Wade to score at the Los Angeles leg of the Sevens World Series. Picture: AFP

The Aussies are best placed, needing a top three finish to win their maiden crown and join the women — who wrapped up the world title in May — at the top of the podium in a promising sign two years out from the Paris Olympics.

After holding Japan and Spain scoreless in their Pool A matches, the Australian men set up a quarter-final against Kenya by toppling Argentina 19-14 and head into day two of the tournament well placed to notch history.

Coach John Manenti was looking forward to the challenge ahead of the Los Angeles leg.

“You never know how many chances you will get in your career to achieve something like this, so everyone is determined to really go out there and take the opportunity,” he said.

Australia's Maurice Longbottom scores a try against Argentina. Picture: AFP

“On the back of the women’s success in winning the world series, the men are motivated and keen to emulate their performance and make it a rare double for any sevens national teams.”

Under a special points system used this season due to Covid, each team’s total is made up of its best seven results.

Australia has been the most consistent team all year, never failing to make the quarter-final stage but needs to push on, on day two to seal overall victory.

Australia take on Kenya in the quarter-final at 3.15am (AEST) on Monday.

Originally published as Rugby Sevens World Series 2022: Australia win maiden title as South Africa falls short