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All Blacks Sevens claim Toulouse after golden-point try from Roderick Solo
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks Sevens have claimed a dramatic golden-point 24-19 win in the Cup final of the men’s event of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Toulouse.
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In the first-score-wins extra-time period emerging star Roderick Solo produced the game-winner from a scrum play to hand New Zealand the title.
The 21-year-old took on the 2021 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Marcos Moneta on the right-hand flank and needed every inch of grass to beat the Argentinian for a second time in the game.
Solo squeezed the ball down just inside the corner flag in Moneta’s cover tackle to win the Toulouse men’s title, the third-straight event for the All Blacks Sevens.
New Zealand opened the scoring in the Cup final with a breakaway try to Regan Ware early, but Argentina hit straight back through German Schulz after a strong break from Luciano Gonzalez.
Argentina then stunned New Zealand with back-to-back tries to Agustin Fraga and Moneto to take a 19-7 lead.
Moneta snatched an intercept try right on half-time which put New Zealand in a deep hole.
New Zealand’s star Akuila Rokolisoa got his side back into the game with a long break from a scrum, before Solo levelled scores with his first try.
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He took on Moneto in similar fashion to his extra-time stunner, fending off the Argentinian, which was enough for Solo to streak away before being tackled in the in-goal in the scoring process.
The Toulouse gold secured the 2023 Series title for New Zealand men’s after event wins in Sydney, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore and Toulouse this season.
The All Blacks Sevens’ 13th title comes with one leg remaining, to be played in London next week.
The Black Ferns Sevens also came back from a 14-0 deficit to beat USA 19-14 in their final to claim gold in the women’s event. A double to Stacey Waaka propelled New Zealand to victory.
After securing the women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title on day one, the Black Ferns took their six straight gold in the Series out of a possible seven.
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After losing the Cup final to Australia on the opening leg of the Series in Dubai, they won every other event on the way to their 7th Series title.
