Australia’s rugby women have reinforced their sevens dominance by winning their third world series event of the season in Spain after a brilliant 17-12 comeback win in the final over Ireland.
Hopes of back-to-back triumphs in the Seville Sevens for both national teams on Sunday (Monday morning AEDT), though, evaporated soon afterwards when the Aussie men were hammered 33-7 in their final by the all-conquering South African ‘Blitzboks’.
Faith Nathan scored her seventh try of the three-day tournament with the last play of the final to earn a triumph which was hard earned after a battling Irish side, playing in their first world series final, had raced into a 12-0 lead in four minutes.
Yet after the speedy Nathan had narrowed the gap by halftime, scooting down the right flank to score, Dominique du Toit proved Australia’s second-half hero, with an individual tour de force that won her the player of the match award.
Du Toit scored an incredible solo try, being brought down on the right flank but somehow scrambling to her feet and evading another tackle before ploughing over.
Then, with the scores level and the game heading for extra time, the Zimbabwe-born Queenslander launched another surging run which took her close to the line before Nathan struck for the post-hooter winner after the ball was swiftly recycled.
“It was a great final, the Irish are a fighting team but it was awesome to see our girls out there fighting just as hard right to the end until that final try,” du Toit said after collecting her award.
Nathan had earlier scored a try a narrow 21-19 semi-final win over the USA, with Tia Hinds and Maddison Levi adding the other scores.
Captain Demi Hayes was particularly delighted with the way her team bounced back just a week after having their season’s unbeaten record ended.
“We were a little bit disappointed with how we’d gone in Malaga so we really wanted to come here and get the win,” she said after the side extended their dominant lead in the series with a couple of rounds left.
The men’s hopes of ending the South Africans’ amazing two-year, 33-match winning streak evaporated when they had Josh Turner and Maurice Longbottom yellow carded in what turned out to be a one-sided final with the Blitzboks scoring five tries in response to Ben Dowling’s opener.
Earlier, they’d made the decider with a 28-12 win over Argentina, with a brace of tries from Corey Toole and others from captain Henry Hutchison and Longbottom.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep both Australian teams have done well in this restricted Series this season, especially the women., & congrats to them. As we know the Premier event of the Series, in HK, will not be on this year, as with a few other well known venues due to pandemic reasons. It really is having a effect on all global sport. Well done also to the Blitzbokke having recorded their 34 straight win. A champion team.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to the women, a great comeback win. The men did well until the final, then their discipline and defensive structures let them down unfortunately. I thought that they would really take it to SA, a lack of belief was evident. Still plenty to like, congratulations to both sides.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
The women just had that little bit of extra skill to call on right at the end but teh Irish really put up a huge fight. The Irish could have easily won, they rattled the Aussie women. The big plays at the end were Paki striking for the ball in the scrum and Caslick's cleanout was outstanding. As for the men, they tried their guts out, a couple of errors and the 2 yellow cards didn't help. But South Africa are on a different planet in both attack and defence
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
Australia’s rugby women have reinforced their sevens dominance Not sure I'd be bold enough to say this! The semi and final could have gone either way. Congrats to our women for hanging in there and getting the job done :thumbup: Nerve-racking! The men were also fantastic and couldn't have been more committed. Ben Dowling had some good moments and no doubt he will keep getting better.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Pick Ash Barty !
Stin
Roar Rookie
How do you beat STH Africa? Amazing.
JC
Roar Rookie
Congrats to both teams. You done good!
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Terrific effort from both teams and they deserve congratulations. For the women, that was an intense and very close final ... Du Toit the game breaker, but who won the scrum against the feed in the leadup, that was key. Many of our players are still young and will be better for the hard won experience of winning a close games. Their tackling and breakdown impact improved this week with Williams back and that is why its a gold instead of bronze. The scoreline in the mens final harsh on Australia who played really well all tournament, including the decider, where the blitzboks got away at the end but was close for a long time. Lot to be encouraged about and they played well in all their 6 matches.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Well done ladies what a great comeback. Showing a lot of fight and determination there. Awesome work. Unlucky guys. SA just too strong