Argentina men dominate Perth rugby sevens and Ireland women make history

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Argentina's men maintained their domination of the rugby sevens world series by winning the Australia title after Ireland's champion women made history on Sunday.

The Argentines crushed Australia in the final 31-5 for their second straight title. They have appeared in all three finals this season, and six straight going back to last season.

The Ireland women won their first title ever on the world series by stunning Australia 19-14 in their final. The Irish had lost 29 consecutive matches to Australia and beat the host for the first time since 2012.

“(The title has) been a long time coming,” Ireland captain Lucy Mulhall said. “For a few of us, 10, 11 years.” She was thrown in the air in celebration by her teammates.

Australia's men and women haven't won their home tournament since 2018.

A cagey men's final opened a crack when Australia's Nathan Lawson was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Argentina pounced immediately from a scrum 55 meters out when first receiver Marcos Moneta out-paced the defense for 7-0 at halftime.

Just 63 seconds into the second half, German Schulz waltzed to the posts, set up by Rodrigo Isgro, the world's best men's sevens player in 2023 who was making his first series appearance since helping Argentina reach the Rugby World Cup semifinals in France.

Argentina rolled from there. Schulz's replacement, Matteo Graziano, scored two tries, and Moneta bagged a second bursting off another scrum for his ninth try in Perth and series-leading 20th.

Australia scored a consolation try through Matthew Gonzalez in the last seconds.

The women's final was a lot more tense.

Captain Charlotte Caslick gave Australia the opening try after looping around Madison Ashby.

Ireland hit back when Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe took an inside pass from Beibhinn Parsons and flew clear.

Near halftime, Caslick was sin-binned as Australia conceded five consecutive penalties, and Mulhall scored reaching out for a 14-7 lead.

Caslick returned after the break and sent Teagan Levi to the posts to tie the score.

The deadlock wasn't broken until 85 seconds were left, when Eve Higgins stepped off her left foot and beat three defenders to score.

The fourth leg is in Vancouver from Feb. 23-25.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby