Singapore Sevens Sees Canada’s First Cup Win
The last-but-two of the 2016-17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, the Singapore Sevens at the Singapore National Stadium last Saturday and Sunday, provided some thrilling online betting action for Australian punters prepared to defy the odds.
Upsets were the order of the day in the quarter-finals, with series leaders South Africa knocked out by a tenacious Australian team, and Fiji, currently second on the ladder, falling to the United States.
Only a drop-goal after the final hooter, to beat Kenya 13-12, put England through to the semis. The East African side delivered their best performance to date, beating Argentina and Samoa in the pool stages, and coming within a whisker of knocking out England.
In the semi-finals, it was Canada that delighted some punters and shocked others, with a convincing 17-5 win over England. The Canucks went on to beat the USA 26-19 in the final, claiming an historic first WR Sevens trophy for Canada.
Timely Australian Win against Traditional Rivals
Sadly, the win against the Blitzboks was the last result in Singapore to please Australian punters. The USA pulled a blinder in the semis to beat us 40-7, and the Australia Sevens side ended the tournament in fourth after a 14-12 loss to England in the play-off.
Nevertheless, after an uneven series in which Australia has never finished higher than third, it was good to see the Sevens side defeat a traditional foe; one that was looking almost invincible earlier this season. The win also marks the first time that South Africa has lost a QF in a Sevens cup since May 2016, when they lost to Samoa in Paris.
Gaps Close at Top of Table
The big winners on the HSBC WR Sevens Series points ladder were, unsurprisingly, the teams that finished first, second and third in Singapore: Canada, the USA and England. Canada leapfrogged Scotland and Argentina into seventh place on the series ladder with 76 points. The USA remains in fifth with 101 points, seven points ahead of Australia in sixth.
New Zealand remains in fourth on 110, with England on 130, closing the gap with Fiji on 132, and South Africa on 157. The Paris Sevens will take place at Stade Jean-Bouin on 13-14 May, followed by the climax of the 2016-17 HSBC WR Sevens at Twickenham in London, on 20-21 May. If these two championships see the same giant-killing surprises we saw in Singapore, the top of the table could get very exciting.
More About Cameron Hollands
After working part time in one of Australia’s finest casinos to fund his journalism studies, Cameron Hollands discovered a passion for sports betting. A few years and many successful bets later, he is now putting his considerable experience to good use, and is a regular contributor for australiansportsbetting.net.
Cameron’s expert advice, insight into the sporting world and straightforward reporting style has earned him many fans, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow punters.
You May Also Like:
Jones Says Tackle Height Should Be Lowered
England coach Eddie Jones says the allowable height of tackles should be lowered in youth rugby. This will further lower the risk of brain injuries in the sport, he explained. ….
Rugby Australia Commits To Improved Expenditure For 2027
Rugby Australia has promised that they will by wasting no money in the lead up to the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup. This comes after the country was selected to ….
RFL To Roll Out Risk-Detecting Mouthguards
The Rugby Football League has now approved the use of a special mouthguard capable of detecting the risk of head trauma and/or concussion. The guards will come into play from ….
Brain Injury Still A Risk For Rugby Players
Modern-day rugby players should not consider themselves exempt from the possibility of developing the same neurological disorders as former players of old as a result of injuries to the head ….
Toutai Kefu In Surgery After Home Invasion
Former Wallabies star Toutai Kefu is reportedly undergoing emergency surgery after a stabbing incident in Brisbane. Queensland police have now confirmed the incident, as well as that Kefu has sustained ….