Heartbreaking Defeat for All Blacks Sevens in Madrid
New Zealand’s aspirations of winning the inaugural SVNS Series Grand Final in Madrid were shattered with the referee’s final whistle. Despite a valiant effort against Argentina, they succumbed to a devastating 21-14 loss.
The thrilling contest at Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday afternoon left a lasting impact. The crowd erupted as the New Zealand team grappled with their defeat.
As the game concluded, players from both teams exchanged handshakes and slowly headed to the tunnel. All Blacks Sevens coach Tomasi Cama led his team off the field, followed by veterans Scott Curry and Sam Dickson, who, despite their disappointment, paused to sign autographs and take photos. Leroy Carter, last year’s World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee, did the same.
Having secured Cup finals in Hong Kong and Singapore, the New Zealand team missed the chance to be crowned overall SVNS Series champions after falling short in Madrid.
Carter expressed his disappointment to RugbyPass, acknowledging the team’s preparation and lamenting missed opportunities. “Just gutted,” he said. “It comes down to moments, and we didn’t execute those moments. No excuses, we should have won that game.”
The All Blacks Sevens started strong in the semi-final with tries from Joe Webber and Moses Leo, leading despite a Matteo Graziano try. Graziano equalized before halftime and secured a hat-trick in the 11th minute, giving Argentina the lead.
Despite New Zealand’s possession and chances late in the game, a knock-on sealed their fate. In front of a predominantly Argentinian crowd, they fought valiantly but fell short.
Carter remained defiant: “I love that s***. I love being hated on the field. It fuels me, we love it. No worries for us.”
Fans of the All Blacks Sevens and the Black Ferns Sevens, who lost to Australia earlier on Sunday, have one more title to pursue this season. With Madrid marking the end of the 2023/24 SVNS Series, the upcoming Paris Olympics present another significant opportunity for all qualified teams.
Carter emphasized their continued determination: “We’ve been building well and we can’t let one game ruin that confidence. We’re definitely going to keep building and we’ve still got one to go today.”
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