Luciano Gonzalez’s punishing counterattack set up German Schulz’s tying try.
When New Zealand’s Akuila Rokolisoa was sin-binned, Argentina used the numbers to get Agustin Fraga across. Just before halftime, Marcos Moneta intercepted Moses Leo’s offload and Argentina led 19-7.
Twice, Moneta kicked and chased the ball into the in-goal only to see the ball roll out the back.
Rokolisoa launched New Zealand’s comeback with a brilliant solo try from a scrum inside his own 22, then Roderick Solo used stolen lineout ball to fend off Moneta and score for 19-19. Rokolisoa couldn’t convert from a handy position, and Argentina blew a last-seconds tap penalty chance outside the New Zealand 22.
In extra time, New Zealand forced a knock on, scrummed, and Solo beat Moneta on the outside. His corner touch down with Moneta around his waist survived a video review.
”It was just go for the corner and hope for the best,” Solo said.
New Zealand won its women’s pool match with the U.S. 31-12 on Saturday, but the U.S. reached the final after upsetting Australia 10-7 in the semifinals.
Heavy underdog in the final, the U.S. exploited a first-minute yellow card to New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini by scoring two converted tries.
Naya Tapper and Kristi Kirshe put the U.S. 14-0 ahead by the time Hirini returned. When America’s Alena Olsen was sin-binned, New Zealand put Stacey Waaka over the tryline.
New Zealand still trailed by two in the second half after clever passing between Tyla Nathan-Wong and Risi Pouri-Lane sent Jazmin Felix-Hotham clear to the posts.
The pressure by New Zealand was relentless, and from a tap penalty close to the U.S. line, Waaka went over for her second try of the final.
”I’m pretty gutted with how I played,” Hirini said, “but man, to go 14 points down against a team like that and then to come back and grind out a win, I’m so proud of the group and the season we’ve had.”
