Finals heartbreak: Ireland end 29-game losing streak to Aussie women, as men fall to Argentina

Australia’s men’s and women’s rugby sevens sides have both slipped up at the final hurdle in Perth by going down in their respective finals despite impressive tournaments.

Ireland broke a remarkable 29-game losing streak against Australia to take out the women’s title with a 19-14 victory, while Argentina thumped Australia’s male side 31-5 after an early yellow card to Nathan Lawson.

Neither Australian side had won a World Sevens Series tournament at home since they both claimed a memorable double in 2018 at the Sydney Sevens.

After years of disappointment and near misses, both were unable to break through in the event’s new host city but showed why they are genuine contenders for Olympic medals later this year in Paris.

Australia’s women, who won the last two legs of the World Series, are still eight points clear of New Zealand in the overall standings but will leave Perth wondering what could have been against a team they have dominated for years.

Coming into the match, Australia had defeated Ireland in each of their last 29 outings. For context, the Wallabies have knocked off the All Blacks four times in their past 29 matches.

Ireland celebrate beating Australia in the final of the Perth Sevens. Credit: Getty

It was a dream start in front of a vociferous home crowd as Australian star Charlotte Caslick sprinted away for the opening try.

Ireland hit back to make it 7-7 before Caslick was yellow-carded for a deliberate knockdown.

Australia was forced to get into the grind and were under a mountain of pressure in defence, conceding multiple penalties, before going down 14-7.

Teagan Levi stood up in the absence of her sister Maddison, due to suspension, by scoring a fabulous five-pointer that levelled scores.

Teagan Levi scores a try for Australia in their final against Ireland. Credit: Getty

However, Eve Higgins crossed with 85 seconds left on the clock for Ireland’s match-winning try, prompting an emotional team rendition of Zombie - the Cranberries song synonymous with Ireland’s run at the Rugby World Cup in France.

It was Ireland’s first women’s tournament win on the sevens circuit.

“Super stoked to make the final on home soil,” said Australian star Sharni Smale. “We have gone through a lot of adversity this weekend but super proud of this young bunch. It wasn’t meant to be today.”

Meanwhile, Australia’s men’s side came into their decider high on confidence after a 22-7 semi-final win over reigning Olympic champions Fiji.

Argentina has been the dominant male side on the sevens circuit and showed why as they piled on five unanswered tries to stun an Australian team who could barely get their hands on the ball.

A late try to Matthew Gonzalez got Australia onto the scoreboard, leaving them third on the overall standings.

Australia has never won a medal in men’s rugby sevens but John Manenti’s men have given themselves a chance to create history in Paris.

“They completely starved us of possession. It’s tough to win when you don’t have the footy,” said Australia skipper Nick Malouf.

“I think this is the first time we have been able to go back-to-back in Cup finals for some time. A great achievement but we are filthy to not be lifting the cup.”

All three episodes of the brand new Stan Original Documentary Series The Wallabies - Inside Rugby World Cup 2023 premiere February 22, only on Stan.