Australia through to quarter finals in Kitakyushu

Sat, Apr 20, 2019, 9:00 AM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
Photo: RugbyAU Media/Stuart Walmsley
Photo: RugbyAU Media/Stuart Walmsley

Australia has made strong start on day one of Kitakyushu Sevens in Japan, with the Aussie Women winning two of its pool games to ensure a place in the quarter finals.

Australia fell in its final Pool B match, losing to Canada 14-17.

The Aussie Women’s Sevens will meet England at 12.14pm AEST tomorrow in the quarter finals of round four of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach John Manenti said: “We had two strong performances in our opening two matches where we played without fear and attacked at speed. “Against Canada, we saw a really tough contest with one or two bounces of the ball not going our way that ultimately cost us.

“Across the park though it was a strong performance from our team. We worked hard for each other in defence and created opportunities in attack.

“Nothing is won on day one, so we will do our recovery and make sure that we are ready to go against England in the quarter final tomorrow.”

Australia 47 defeated China 0

The Aussie 7s got off to a strong start with Charlotte Caslick announcing her return to International Rugby, combining with Alicia Quirk to score inside the first two minutes. China regained possession and worked hard against Australia’s defence, but good pressure from the women in gold allowed Emma Tonegato to scoop up a loose ball and ran away to score, extending the lead to 14-0. Caslick continued to show Australia’s dominance, waiting for the space to open up before running away for Australia’s third try. Samantha Treherne continued Australia’s strong start with a final try before the break, taking the score to 26-0.

Australia continued their momentum in the second half with Emma Tonegato scoring back to back tries to get her hattrick and move Australia to a massive lead. Lily Dick would have the last say of the match as Australia moved the scoreboard to 47-0 against China.

Australia 36 defeated Spain 5

Australia shot out to an early lead with a try from Speedster, Ellia Green inside the first two minutes. Australia backed it up against a tough Spanish defence, with tries to Charlotte Caslick, Evania Pelite and Lily Dick taking the Aussies advantage to 24-0 at the break.

The second half saw a more committed Spanish defence test Australia in attack. The women in gold were able to find ways through though, scoring tries through Alicia Quirk and Charlotte Caslick to take the match 36-5 and ensure a place in the quarter finals.

Australia 14 was defeated by Canada 17

The Canadians were the first to strike in the match, with the Aussie 7s giving a penalty off a scrum, allowing the North Americans to slice through Australia’s defence out wide to take a 0-5 lead. Canada continued to put pressure on Australia, punishing the Aussies for not being able to get out of their half by scoring their second try and taking a 0-10 lead. Patient play from Australia eventually led to reward with Emma Sykes scoring off a quick tap next to the posts, allowing the score to close in gap to 7-10.

The second half saw Emma Sykes score a brilliant individual try, with the Canadian defence not committing to her, allowing Sykes to sprint through the line untouched. The try was converted allowing the Aussies to tale the lead 14-10. Canada struck back with just over a minute to go, with a kick in behind the Aussie defence allowing Canada to score and retake the lead, 14-17. A late surge from Australia wasn’t enough, allowing Canada to win the Pool B clash.

ENDS

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