Outsiders Wales beat Argentina to take World Sevens crown

Outsiders Wales ripped up the formbook to beat Argentina 19-12 and claim the Rugby World Cup Sevens title here on Saturday.

The Welsh team, largely a second-tier team on the IRB World Sevens Series which has never before reached a final, showed great poise on the third day of competition.

Wales’ Richie Pugh opened the scoring, the once-capped international flanker sprinting clear into the corner after a long pass from irrepressible sweeper Lee Williams.

Argentina hit back through Martin Rodriguez who latched on to a loose pass to scoot in for a try he converted from the touchline. Williams was everywhere for the Welsh in defence, coming up with try-saving tackles on Lucas Amorosino and Santiago Cora.

It was, however, another of Wales’ one-cap wonders who extended the Welsh lead, winger Tal Selley continuing his fine tournament form with a dummy, step and sharp acceleration for a 60-metre run-in.

Aled Thomas nailed the conversion to hand Wales a 12-7 half-time lead.

In a closely-fought second-half, which unusually featured several instances of kicking ping-pong, Argentina were the first to score after almost six minutes of play through Gonzalo Camacho. But Thomas had the last word, showing a fine turn of speed to skip out of desperate cover tackle and cross for the decisive try, which he also converted.

DUBAI, Sunday (AFP)