Cardiff Blues claimed fourth place in the inaugural World Club 10s after a second day packed full of attacking rugby at the National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub.
Blues opened the second day in style with their best performance of the tournament as they stunned Samoa Water President’s 10 – many people’s outside bet for the competition – with a narrow 10-5 victory in the quarter-finals.
A tense and battling semi-final in the Cup saw Blues narrowly edged out 17-5 by Super 15 giants the Brumbies before a thrilling third/fourth play-off with the Asia Pacific Dragons.
Blues scored tries through Ellis Jenkins, Dan Fish and George Watkins in an action-packed encounter cheered on by a partisan home crowd.
However, it was the Dragons – who contained several international Sevens stars - that eventually claimed a 26-17 win and with it third place.
Auckland Blues were crowned the first-ever World Club 10s Cup champions as they defeated Brumbies in extra time in the final while Samoa Water President’s 10 defeated London Welsh to claim the Plate.
Coach Paul John said: “We’ve all thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the inaugural World Club 10s in Singapore.
“It has been a hugely beneficial experience for all the squad and we thank the tournament organisers for the invitation and all those fans that turned out to support us so fantastically over two days.”
Scores - World Club 10s:
1 Sat 21-Jun 10:48 Pool A Auckland Blues 47 Biarritz Olympique 7
2 Sat 21-Jun 11:15 Pool B The Brumbies 12 Petraca Rugby 0
3 Sat 21-Jun 11:42 Pool A London Welsh 0 Samoa 26
4 Sat 21-Jun 12:09 Pool B Cardiff Blues 12 AP Dragons 19
5 Sat 21-Jun 13:57 Pool A Auckland Blues 19 Samoa 17
6 Sat 21-Jun 14:24 Pool B The Brumbies 22 AP Dragons 17
7 Sat 21-Jun 14:51 Pool A London Welsh 26 Biarritz Olympique 5
8 Sat 21-Jun 15:18 Pool B Cardiff Blues 36 Petraca Rugby 0
9 Sat 21-Jun 17:03 Pool A Samoa 35 Biarritz Olympique 12
10 Sat 21-Jun 17:30 Pool B AP Dragons 19 Petraca Rugby 5
11 Sat 21-Jun 17:57 Pool A Auckland Blues 27 London Welsh 7
12 Sat 21-Jun 18:24 Pool B The Brumbies 21 Cardiff Blues 12
13 Sun 22-Jun 10:04 Cup - Quarter Final Auckland Blues 26 Petrarca Rugby 0
14 Sun 22-Jun 10:31 Cup - Quarter Final AP Dragons 43 London Welsh 12
15 Sun 22-Jun 10:58 Cup - Quarter Final Samoa 5 Cardiff Blues 10
16 Sun 22-Jun 11:25 Cup - Quarter Final The Brumbies 47 Biarritz Olympique 0
17 Sun 22-Jun 13:33 Plate - Semi Final Petrarca Rugby 7 London Welsh 24
18 Sun 22-Jun 14:00 Plate - Semi Final Samoa 40 Biarritz Olympique 17
19 Sun 22-Jun 14:27 Cup - Semi Final Auckland Blues 8 AP Dragons 5
20 Sun 22-Jun 14:54 Cup - Semi Final Cardiff Blues 5 The Brumbies 17
21 Sun 22-Jun 17:03 7th & 8th Place - Petrarca Rugby 12 Biarritz Olympique 7
22 Sun 22-Jun 17:30 Plate - Final London Welsh 14 Samoa 28
23 Sun 22-Jun 17:57 3rd & 4th Place - AP Dragons 26 Cardiff Blues 17
24 Sun 22-Jun 18:24 Cup - Final Auckland Blues 10 Brumbies 5