A total of 73,313 fans turned out for the first Sevens World Series event to be held in Sydney, Australia.
A total of 73,313 fans turned out for the first Sevens World Series event to be held in Sydney, Australia.
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Australia had hosted 12 previous World Series tournaments in Adelaide, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Australia had hosted 12 previous World Series tournaments in Adelaide, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
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New Zealand's All Blacks ran out winners <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F02%2F07%2Fsport%2Frugby-sydney-sevens-all-blacks-ioane%2Findex.html" target="_blank">with a tight 27-24 victory over Australia in the final</a> to clinch their second consecutive title, following their win on home soil <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F01%2F31%2Fsport%2Fsonny-bill-williams-wellington-sevens-rugby%2Findex.html" target="_blank">in Wellington a week earlier.</a>
New Zealand's All Blacks ran out winners with a tight 27-24 victory over Australia in the final to clinch their second consecutive title, following their win on home soil in Wellington a week earlier.
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Australia led 24-22 in the closing moments but failed to hold onto possession and handed New Zealand one final chance to win, which teenager Rieko Ioane calmly capitalized on.
Australia led 24-22 in the closing moments but failed to hold onto possession and handed New Zealand one final chance to win, which teenager Rieko Ioane calmly capitalized on.
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The final was played out in front of a sellout crowd of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F02%2F07%2Fsport%2Frugby-sydney-sevens-all-blacks-ioane%2Findex.html%3Feref%3Drss_latest" target="_blank">37,095 in the Allianz Stadium.</a>
The final was played out in front of a sellout crowd of 37,095 in the Allianz Stadium.
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Despite Australia's last-minute loss, the event was deemed a success. Several local media outlets reported a high windfall for the city and a near sellout crowd over the two days.
Despite Australia's last-minute loss, the event was deemed a success. Several local media outlets reported a high windfall for the city and a near sellout crowd over the two days.
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In contrast, last weekend's Wellington Sevens struggled to attract large crowds <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F02%2F01%2Fsport%2Fgallery%2Fwellington-rugby-sevens-fan-photos%2Findex.html" target="_blank">despite the presence of star players like Sonny Bill Williams.</a> Wellington's contract to host a leg of the series has now expired, with the city's council and Rugby New Zealand set to decide whether or not to fund future events. The latest installment drew around 30,000 fans over two days.
In contrast, last weekend's Wellington Sevens struggled to attract large crowds despite the presence of star players like Sonny Bill Williams. Wellington's contract to host a leg of the series has now expired, with the city's council and Rugby New Zealand set to decide whether or not to fund future events. The latest installment drew around 30,000 fans over two days.
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Defending series champion Fiji beat South Africa 26-12 in the battle for third place in Sydney to reclaim the overall lead <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldrugby.org%2Fsevens-series%2Fstandings" target="_blank" target="_blank">in the championship standings.</a>
Defending series champion Fiji beat South Africa 26-12 in the battle for third place in Sydney to reclaim the overall lead in the championship standings.
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Fiji was joined on 69 points by South Africa and New Zealand after the fourth round of the series. Australia is in fourth place on 54, level with quarterfinalist Argentina -- which won the plate final.
Fiji was joined on 69 points by South Africa and New Zealand after the fourth round of the series. Australia is in fourth place on 54, level with quarterfinalist Argentina -- which won the plate final.
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