Australia’s sevens team have been thrashed by Kenya during a forgettable opening day of the IRB World Series event in Wellington.
The Michael O’Connor-coached side were fancied to easily progress to Saturday’s quarter-finals when they were drawn in Pool D with Canada, Kenya and France, but never recovered after being stunned 35-10 by the Africans in their first game.
Jesse Parahi and Daniel Yakopo crossed for first-half tries to keep Australia in touch at the break, but were outgunned in the second stanza when they failed to breach Kenya’s defence.
Collins Injera and Sidney Ashioya both crossed for their second five-pointers to secure the easy victory for Kenya, who sit in 14th spot on the sevens table after three tournaments.
Australia then scrapped past Canada, who failed to convert a try after the fulltime siren that would’ve taken the game into extra-time.
A 10-10 draw with France in their final pool match meant Australia finished in equal second, but an inferior for-and-against meant Canada and France advanced to the last eight.
Defending champions New Zealand and South Africa were the only teams to win all three of their pool matches on Friday, while Tonga upset Fiji to finish unexpectedly at the top of their pool.
In the quarter-finals, New Zealand take on France, Tonga battle England, Canada meet Samoa and South Africa line up against Fiji.
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The Crowd Says (16) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
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- IRB World Series, Rugby Union, Sevens rugby
February 4th 2012 @ 11:34am
peterlala said | February 4th 2012 @ 11:34am | Report comment
That’s unbelievable.
February 4th 2012 @ 12:09pm
Rugbug said | February 4th 2012 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
They were pretty average and thats putting it nicely, still there were a few glimmers of hope for some of the young up and comers
February 4th 2012 @ 12:34pm
Atawhai Drive said | February 4th 2012 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
Sevens is to rugby what T20 is to cricket: an entertaining but irrelevant sideshow. I had no idea this tournament was on.
Sevens was fun to play, but it’s not all that interesting to watch after the first two or three games.
February 4th 2012 @ 12:49pm
allblackfan said | February 4th 2012 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
Las Vegas Sevens on next weekend and that’s helping to fuel interest in rugby in the US. Will go to that one next year!!
February 4th 2012 @ 1:05pm
Working Class Rugger said | February 4th 2012 @ 1:05pm | Report comment
They have added a third day to the Vegas schedule which has in turn from what I have heard has lead to a doubling of ticket sales from last year to the point USA 7s LLC who run the event are expecting to turn a decent profit from the event.
February 4th 2012 @ 1:28pm
allblackfan said | February 4th 2012 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
apparently, it’s outrating the MLS on TV as well!!
February 4th 2012 @ 4:21pm
Emric said | February 4th 2012 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
I am not sure why but the MLS has been a little bit paranoid by what is in effect a one weekend a year event.
February 4th 2012 @ 10:41pm
p.Tah said | February 4th 2012 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
If the interest for 7s grows it’ll become more than a one weekend a year event!
February 4th 2012 @ 1:46pm
Matthew Skellett said | February 4th 2012 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
I think Mr O’Connor has had his fair go of the National Sevens Coaching job-time to hand in your hat Mr O’Connor so we can hire someone who actually coaches his team to string a couple of wins together and be blessed
February 4th 2012 @ 2:10pm
Johnno said | February 4th 2012 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
7evens needs a wake up call here in OZ, it is behind the times, 7evens is big in kenya and around the world now, NZ always good at sevens we have to too.
February 4th 2012 @ 2:22pm
Snobby Deans said | February 4th 2012 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
How strange . . . I thought the Aussie team usually needed at least 15 players to play ordinary rugby in NZ. It seems they only need seven now . . .
February 4th 2012 @ 6:08pm
Mark said | February 4th 2012 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
I’d hate to say it, Sevens Rugby resembles League, get the League boys in this game, Australia will dominate.
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February 4th 2012 @ 10:37pm
p.Tah said | February 4th 2012 @ 10:37pm | Report comment
A few of the have tried Denan Kemp, Shannon Walker etc. They may not be league super stars but they couldn’t make the Aust team. They don’t appear to work the ruck well and they have a tendency to isolate themselves.
February 4th 2012 @ 8:38pm
Ash said | February 4th 2012 @ 8:38pm | Report comment
How poor is the sportsmanship of the Wellington crowd? Nearly as bad as the Aussie performance. After the disgrace of the world cup I’m glad I left the place.
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February 5th 2012 @ 12:44pm
allblackfan said | February 5th 2012 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
I’ll bet they’re glad you left as well!!
February 6th 2012 @ 8:57am
Geoff Brisbane now California said | February 6th 2012 @ 8:57am | Report comment
So sevens will be an Olympic participation is that right? So Kenya have their eyes on finishing the season well. What the heck with the Aussie Thunder side?