Australia’s women’s sevens team have put on an exhibition of slick ball movement, incisive running and breakdown smarts to outplay Fiji in the women’s rugby sevens final.
Apart from Sharni Williams putting the kick-off out on the full twice, it was a near perfect display of sevens rugby by the Australians who dominated the final and won the gold medal 22-12.
Charlotte Caslick was all movement and action, equal parts running threat and slick distributor. Three girls from Sydney’s northern beaches – Faith Nathan, her cousin Sariah Paki and Maddi Ashby – were threats with each touch.
And long-striding winger Maddison Levi scored her 10th try.
“I think in those physical contests, we dominated nearly every single one of those and that’s what we had to do,” Caslick said.
“I wouldn’t say it was perfect (performance) but it was close to.
“We’ve had an amazing World Series and been dominant year so to be rewarded in front of an awesome crowd is pretty special.”
But Australia had contributors across the park and became the first team to win gold after losing a pool game (to Fiji).
Nathan went over first after multiple strong carries by Paki. The ball movement was long and accurate, the recycling at the breakdown sharp.
Ashby then hurled it out to the other wing where Nathan crossed again. When Ashby crossed herself after fine long passing and angle running, it was 17-0 at half-time. Immediately after the break, more of the same. Caslick fed Dominique du Toit who bolted down field.
Caslick, a superstar, popped up again and tossed a perfect ball for Levi who scored on left, to cap her incredible tournament.
A semifinal loss to South Africa consigned the Australian men to the bronze medal match, which they lost to New Zealand by 26-12.
Leroy Carter crossed for New Zealand within a minute before Australia replied with a converted try to Josh Turner.
Just before the break Moses Leo beat Corey Toole on an edge and bolted 50 metres.
Just after the break Leo did the same from 60m after a loose pass and rushing but inaccurate Australian defence. Carter had a double, too, soon after from a scrum.
With time almost up, Australia went on a 90m movement with every player touching the ball before Henry Paterson bolted down the left and leapt into the corner to plant with his body outside the plane of play.
In the men’s gold medal match South Africa beat Fiji 31-7.
Muller du Plessis opened the scoring for the Blitzboks following multiple penalties and a long kick to his wing. JC Pretorious was the beneficiary on the same flank after long pass passing and breakdown dominance. South Africa had barely allowed Fiji to have the ball – always a good tactic when playing Fiji.
After another Fiji turnover Shaun Williams scored on the left edge. And at half-time it was 17-0.
It was immediately more of the same after the break: a turnover by Fiji – it’s what killed them – and long passing by South Africa saw a flying du Plessis touch down on the left. It was 24-nil.
Fiji captain Waisea Nacuqu scored under the posts but when Dewald Human fended off the cover and crossed out wide, South Africa owned the gold.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
They're just getting started mate now the pesky sport is out of the road.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Whats the famous Hawthorn coach quote from an AFL Final ... "If you want to win you have to pay the price" i.e. be prepared to take some physical punishment and blows in the big games. Caslick of course led the way. She got absolutely creamed in (legitimate) tackles the day before in both the Fiji pool game and the NZ semi, but did not flinch throughout and took the hard knocks. Tough and courageous as well as all the skills.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Not half the party the Levi sisters' mother had after they won the Gold medal
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hahaha Surely you realise that the Olympiad is a global competition, whereas the Comm. Games isn’t?
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Bugger.
Cec
Roar Rookie
She is so quick to the ball and has great technique in the breakdown that 7 may be a position for her if 6 & 8 are dynamic enough to keep up and support. 7s v 15s are such different games and athletes so playing at 7 is a big if. Alternatively, 9, 10 or 15 only if she has a kicking game. You have to be able to kick from those positions.
Cec
Roar Rookie
The two finals games for our Women’s 7s was some of the best passing and running lines of any Aussie team in recent memory. Their breakdown, particularly Caslick, was so accurate; and they managed to slow the opposition ball just enough. Our team was perhaps the fittest out there & allowed their D pressure, chop tackles and quick reloads force plenty of mistakes that created opportunities. Now, how to get the Wobblies to play at this standard??? I thought the Men’s 7s showed some real promise that has earned them their #2 world ranking. Just some crucial errors and lapses in discipline let them down.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Will you remember to denigrate the Olympics when they roll around? While any country at all can seek to qualify, and presumably “a few core teams” will, it’s only a one-off and not a whole series, isn’t it?
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
She won't be playing for the Wallaroos, it's too close to the 7s World Cup. Not enough time. She has said before Grace Hamilton has tried to get her onboard. Sharni Williams is going to try and make the Wallaroos squad but she normally plays 12/13 so it's a bit easier than playing in the halves.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
That is what I noticed too, they went into contact, in both attack and defence
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Muzzo, You crack me up !!!!
Just call me Campo
Roar Rookie
yes I have nate. Well documented commentary on those flatters of the rules. They all deserve to have their hair pulled
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Her pass is class.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Absolutely stoked for the Golden Girls, well played. 'the Pearls' have done so much for club rugby in Australia since their Rio Gold. Our club used that historic moment as a launching pad to recruit girls to our Jnr club and we cobbled together a short comp with other regional towns. Last year our most successfu Jnr clubl team was the Girl's u17's and we have a player in the Reds wider squad. Having helped coach them in tournaments I admire the way they rip in to the task. The Commonwealth Games Gold will help momentum through to RWC 2029 in Australia. Huge win for Oz rugby.
mailman
Guest
Massive congratulations to the Pearls, fantastic team effort, with outstanding performances from: Caslick, Paki, Ashby, Nathan, Williams and of course the amazing Levi...fantastic win and entertaining footy!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Be interesting to see if Uganda has it, to become a World Series core team, if they can qualify! As it is that core team lot only comprises of 16 nations
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Congrats to the Aussie girls & the Blitzbokke in taking out their golds! Now it’ll be time to return to the real global World Series, which a few core teams have not been able to partake in these games.
TonyH
Roar Rookie
I'd play Caslick at flyhalf.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a football team, any code, so clearly very happy to be out there doing what they love doing.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
And the referee chose not to exercise her authority to direct the player to bind it up, cover it, cut it off, whatever. Caslick was tackled plenty of times and I did not notice the ref penalising any Fijiana for hair pulling, did you? Have you complained previously about various Blitzbokke, Ma’a Nonu, etc for their hair extensions and beads?