Australia are through to the quarter-finals on top of their pool, but it wasn’t without a late scare from the USA as the women’s Rugby Sevens medal race heats up. Join The Roar for all the live highlights and action from 5am (AEST).
A try after fulltime for the Australians and a clutch conversion helped the Aussie girls escape with a draw against the USA in the final pool match of the event.
A possible quarter-final match-up with New Zealand was avoided, which many had predicted as the possible gold medal match.
Australia vs Spain
The Aussie girls are heavy gold medal favourites at Rio and are expected to roll past Spain fairly comfortably.
The Spanish qualified third in their pool with the least amount of points for any side in the quarters with just the one win.
Prediction: Expect to see a confidence-boosting win for the Australians after their earlier scare against the USA.
Canada vs France
A very tough match up for both sides here who finished second in their pools with some very strong performances in the early goings.
France fell to New Zealand in their final game to lose out on top spot and were far from convincing so the less fancied Canadians certainly have a big chance here to progress into medal contention.
Similarly, Canada were pipped by Great Britain with the chance at a pool win on the line.
Prediction: France have certainly looked like the stronger side overall but Canada can’t be underestimated with plenty of flare across the park. France should still take this one in the end though.
Great Britain vs Fiji
One of just two teams still undefeated in the tournament, Great Britain are another heavy favourite to pick up a medal at the games and they’re proving why.
Fiji are certainly one of the strongest overall sides at the games though and will be a huge hurdle for the British to overcome, if they can.
Fiji made light work of Colombia in their final game to head into the finals with a mountain of confidence behind them.
Prediction: Although I’m tempted to call a Fiji win, GB have barely put a foot wrong so far and have a huge strength out wide that can damage any of the best sides in the world.
New Zealand vs USA
Touted as Australia’s biggest rival in the hunt for gold, New Zealand cruised through the pool stages with barely a dent being put in their offensive prowess.
The United States have proven themselves in the early goings as well, with massive talent and pace on the fringe that nearly dethroned the Aussies.
That form would have instilled a massive chunk of confidence into the girls coming into such a big match against New Zealand.
Prediction:
It’s very hard not to see NZ getting through this one but don’t expect a blowout against a fired up USA side.
Japan, Brazil, Kenya and Colombia will battle it out for 9-12th placings before the quarters kick off.
Tony Roseman
Guest
The world sevens series-winning Aussie women took the first Olympic honors in 92 years with an unbeaten run in Rio de Janeiro, setting it up with two tries in each half to establish a 24-5 lead. Tonegato's early equalizer was contentious after she appeared to fumble the ball as she crashed over in the corner, but referee Alhambra Nievas awarded the try after checking with both assistant referees.
Republican
Guest
NZ will win the gold anyway.
Hoy
Roar Guru
The Americans were very good. They made Aus work very hard...
Perry Bridge
Guest
It's a shame - I flicked on the tele Sunday morning and the choice at that point was the Aussies smashing Fiji in the 7s, the Matilda's at that point 2-1 up in the soccer - but I ended up watching the Opals vs Brazil in the basketball - - did I do that because there was more happening? or, because there WAS actually a crowd and some atmosphere that made it feel a bit like an Olympic event. Perhaps all the tickets have been sold for the finals. One can hope. Certainly in the (womens) 7s Semis we can expect some contests - - otherwise to this point the only 'stiff' side look to be the Americans.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
The semi-finals are set now. Australia vs Canada Great Britain vs New Zealand
Connor Bennett
Editor
A big day of Rugby Sevens action for the women with 12 games turning the pool stages into the final four medal contenders.
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME New Zealand waste no time at all in sending the ball into touch after the siren and they just sneak through in the end. A very tight game of rugby there from both sides. The USA may have been on top for most of the game, but they just couldn't execute their chances with so much field position. A lone try for the kiwis on the stroke of halftime was the difference in the end. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
14' Turnover in the NZ half!! The US have 30 seconds to get somehow across the line... but they've given away a penalty in the ruck for not releasing!! That surely has to be the game. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
13' NZ have their full compliment of players once again as time runs out on the US. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
12' New Zealand win the penalty ten metres from their own line and that is a massive pressure reliever for them. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
11' Another lost ball from the US!! That was the chance they needed to take. Just sloppy ball movement killed them there as the pill dribbles over the sideline for a NZ line out New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
11' A bit of an investigation going on here for a possible late tackle. And NZ have lost a player for two minutes!! Yellow card!! USA now have an extra player and a penalty just 10 metres out. This is a massive chance fir the US New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
11' Another penalty for the USA as they head inside the NZ 22. They're really struggling to make something happen here though. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
10' USA continue to keep the ball up the right end of the park, but they're struggling to capitalise on all this field position. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
9' Massive tackle from Woodman!! She timed the hit perfectly and forced the error. A bit of a hospital ball didn't really help either. New Zealand turn it over now though, throwing a very loose offload straight into the arms of the enemy New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
8' NZ get the second stanza underway, but the restart doesn't make ten metres and the US get a penalty on halfway. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
HALFTIME A real grind in the first half from both sides with defence really proving the best asset so far. The US won't be happy with letting a try in on the stroke of halftime but this game is still very much in their reach. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
7' TRY New Zealand!! Woodman plants the ball down as the halftime horn sounds in the background. New Zealand had the scrum with time running down and it was simple catch and pass stuff to Woodward who used pure pace to beat her defender on the outside. New Zealand - 5 Unites States - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
7' USA working it out of their own half but defence is the story of this game so far for both sides. Nooooo a very poor knock on fro Potter out on the right wing and New Zealand are gifted a scrum in the US half. New Zealand - 0 Unites States - 0