Australia’s women’s rugby sevens team have been stunned by the USA at the New Zealand Sevens, losing 7-10 to end a run of five straight tournament final appearances.
Two quick first-half tries for Cheta Emba and Sammy Sullivan proved the game-winners for the Americans, after conceding the first try of the match to Aussie star Madison Ashby.
Sullivan had been yellow-carded in the opening seconds of the match for a deliberate knock-on, but her teammates held firm during her two minutes off to keep the Australians scoreless, which ultimately proved crucial.
After dominating possession for much of the second half, the USA were forced to defend grimly as Australia won the ball back in the dying seconds, needing to run the ball 100 metres for a match-winning try.
But the underdogs held firm, and a knock-on from Teagan Levi secured the USA victory and sparked scenes of jubilation.
However, replays would soon show that the ball had come off Levi’s legs rather than her hands.
Charlotte Caslick starred with two first-half tries in the 38-0 rout, adding to their 43-0 and 33-7 thrashings of France and Canada respectively in the group stages.
Maddison Levi also scored a try to take her tally to eight in just four matches for the tournament
Having won the Dubai Sevens before finishing runners-up to New Zealand in Cape Town last month, the Aussies will fall behind their Trans-Tasman rivals, who progressed to the final after thrashing Ireland.
The Aussie men’s sevens team faced their own American demons, losing 28-14 to the USA to continue their disappointing start to the 2023 season.
Despite two tries from Dietrich Roache, the Americans responded quickly to both scores and never truly looked troubled after taking a 14-0 lead in quick time, with a wondrous try from Perry Baker sealing the victory.
After winning last year’s championship and beginning the new season with victory in Hong Kong, it has been a frustrating last two tournaments for the men’s side, losing early in Dubai and Cape Town before the latest disappointment.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Congrats AP. You guys deserved that win.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Yep you guys deserved to win AP. Ref/TMO lost their balls with that call. Also, the call on the forward pass shortly after. Well done.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Very true Muzzo… :thumbup:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH Tim, Eric Rush did put his hand up a little while ago
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
I’d love that Bro, just to rid ourselves of those two Scot coaches
Tony
Guest
I notice knowone's CONGRATULATED the Black Ferns 7's for absolutely thrashing USA in the womens final !!! bring on Sydney
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well TBH mate, the Poms had Aotearoa under Australian jurisdiction on settlement ( or invasion) & we both have that failure of a Westminster system to which now the Poms have admitted on its overall failure. As it is, the RWC has been held in the NH just as many times as it’s been held in the SH. As it is, the Poms invented the game, & mostly since then the rest of the world’s been teaching them how to play it, even if WR ( or way back IRB ) keep changing the rules to assist those in the NH to keep on top of the game. Look what they did to the old way of rucking!!
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It had me perplexed with them not starting him also Muzzo, maybe Smith and Henry can coach the men’s team now… :silly:
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Appreciate your passion but don’t think the number of titles should be the only driver for where tournaments are held. It’s like saying the vast majority of the 15s World Cups (men & women) have been won by the southern hemisphere so that’s where the World Cups should be mainly held. I know NZ is part of Polynesia, also just to irritate you NZ is also mentioned in the Australian Constitution.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yes Tim, TBH I was pretty happy for them, to win, over the AB'7's. But then i was pretty surprised with what the AB's Scots coaches, did by not starting with McGarvey-Black, as he was getting better with each game. As it was Regan Ware was a big loss, when he went off. But congrats to Los Puma's.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I am sure that the men will be fired up for Sydney Muzzo, Argentina deserved to win the tournament… :thumbup:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Wasn't to bad on the final day Tim, considering many that I've heard of, through whanau, not being there, due to prices & peeeeeed off with it being the last World Series tournament.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It was but the crowds were not good, Hamilton had good atmosphere.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So do you actually know how many WS titles Fiji has won? Actually no where near as many as the AB7’s have won. In fact Polynesian teams, along with Fiji ( Melanesian) have for a very long time classed the NZ tournament as there own! Do you realise that Aotearoa is actually part of Polynesia?
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
That maybe the case but Fiji has provided a huge amount to 7s rugby, arguably is the heart of what rugby 7s is all about & yet hasn't ever had a tournament. As unfortunate as it is in pro sport decisions are made for business reasons. Covid has no doubt hit World rugby's bottom line as they have provided $$ (loans) to many countries.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
By the way, NZ yellow was a red card for me.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Congrats Pumas 7s for the cup victory against Nz !!!!! Muchachos, ahora nos volvimo ' a ilusionar!!!. Another series won!! 4th in Pumas History!!! Moneyman what a player. Little by little, step by step, well organized programs of 7s and 15, we are getting closer to the big Guns. Lets hope for a great WC 2023 for the Pumas
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
This is ridiculous NZ not having a round played at home. I don’t really buy the time zone thing either. Millions of people watch the replays when it’s convenient.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well Short Arm, with Aotearoa being a big part of Polynesia it was always known as the Polynesian tournament by many. With Samoa Tonga, Rarotonga ( or Cook Islands) referring to that leg of the tournament as such. Even Fiji ( being Melanesia) it too has classed Aotearoa as a home tournament
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As is most sport now, but to take it away from nations that have given as much to the sport, as what they have taken out of it, does have repercussions! Corporate greed & abuse will certainly establish that!