Michael Hooper’s debut sevens tournament continues to prove a success with the Olympics-hunting Wallabies great enjoying cameo roles as both Australian sides marched to the semi-finals in Hong Kong.
The 125-times capped Hooper again came off the bench to enjoy four minutes of action as Australia’s men strolled to a 31-0 win over Canada in their final group match but was only needed as a last-minute sub in their 15-0 quarter-final win over South Africa later on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Hooper’s next test as he is being gently eased into the high-paced sevens world will be in a blockbuster semi-final against New Zealand on Sunday’s final day of the marquee World Series event.
Australia will take on New Zealand in the Honk Kong Sevens semi-finals after beating South Africa 15-0 thanks to an inspired defensive effort. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Maurice Longbottom was the star in Australia’s quarter-final shut out win over the Blitzboks, as the playmaker scored a try and landed a second half field goal penalty to give the men in gold a handsome lead.
His long-range counter-attack from a South African clearing kick gave Australia possession and territory, as John Manenti’s side led 5-0 at half-time.
Where Australia controlled possession, it was their defence that once again proved telling.
Captain Nick Malouf won a crucial penalty at the breakdown, while Henry Hutchison was everywhere in defence.
The Australian women, currently leading the season’s standings, will also face a semi-final against their big New Zealand rivals after continuing their unbeaten run into the last-four with a 12-0 quarter-final victory over Japan.
On a day when women’s captain Charlotte Caslick led the way by starring in her 300th World Series match, magnificent defence proved the keystone for both Australian sides as they kept their opponents scoreless across all their four matches in the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday.
After the men had gone 24-0 up against Canada with tries from Malouf, Michael Icely, Dietrich Roache and Nathan Lawson, Hooper was freed up to enjoy his longest spell of action and nearly went over for a try himself in the final seconds after Henry Paterson had completed the five-try romp.
But in a tight knockout match, which was settled by the Aussies’ stifling defence and tries from the brilliant pair of Nathan Lawson and Longbottom, Hooper was only brought off the bench in the final 30 seconds against the Blitzboks.
“A few things didn’t go to plan so we had to fight through but we just hung in there,” said Malouf of their win.
“We were able to have a couple of scores on the board and were able to manage that with the shot on goal late (from Longbottom). I’m excited about tomorrow.”
The women, who have been plagued by indiscipline during this season’s tournament, overcame a yellow card to Sariah Paki in the second half to record their win over Japan in a tight quarter-final with tries from Tia Hinds and Teagan Levi.
“We’ve been starting games slow so as a group we need to be a bit better at that,” said Levi.
“Japan wanted it more at the start but at half-time we came out firing and we wanted it more than them at the end.”
Earlier, Maddison Levi and Faith Nathan had both scored twice in a 28-0 group-stage win over South Africa.
In the match of the day, defending men’s champions New Zealand knocked out Fiji 19-12 in the quarter-final with a last-minute try from Tone Ng Shiu to set up their Australia clash, while France, without their new superstar recruit Antoine Dupont, will play Ireland in the other semi.
France will play the US in the other women’s semi-final.
HSBC SVNS HONG KONG – AUSTRALIA WOMEN
Pool B
Australia 19 defeated Fiji 12
Australia 35 defeated Ireland 0
Australia 28 defeated South Africa 0
Quarter-Final: Australia 12 defeated Japan 0
Sunday, April 7
Semi-Final: Australia v New Zealand – 3:17pm (AEST)
HSBC SVNS HONG KONG – AUSTRALIA MEN
Pool A
Australia 12 defeated Fiji 0
France 19 defeated Australia 14
Australia 31 defeated Canada 0
Quarter-Final: Australia 15 defeated South Africa 0
Sunday, April 7
Semi-Final: Australia v New Zealand – 4:06pm (AEST)
Guess
Roar Rookie
Not like everyone else is up to scratch by the looks of it. Others made silly mistakes too and they've been doing 7s for longer
Guess
Roar Rookie
Huh? He only fd up attack. In defence others efed it up. I don't think 7s can transition with ease in 15 either. If they could Pietsch would've passed
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Australian rugby selection process at it’s typical best
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True, & he was one of a limited few, that made the transaction that way. Being a forward! As coming from league to rugby, unless you’ve previously played rugby as Brad Thorn, forwards are a lost product. Re SBW.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Rex certainly had his moments in the commentary booth. Moose was a Wallaby before he was a Kangaroo. (There aren't many places that sentence would make sense to readers :laughing: )
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Feel sorry for the guy he displaced, probably somebody that had come up through the 7's pathways & was looking to cement his place in the squad?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Then again Rex wasn’t the best!
ols
Roar Pro
Heard my best ever tautology from a Kiwi commentator. When a conversion was made he said "so they've got the extras too also" Rex Mossop would be rolling in his grave :laughing:
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
I am being polite Muzzo :happy: Every tournament this year has seen a key player (sometimes more than one) suspended for vast hunks of it. Difficult to build cohesion and confidence given this constant disruption and it shows. And the constant failures from our own kick offs resulting in the Oppo getting a free kick on the halfway line does my head in. These are, after all, professional players. Surely you would practice this skill again and again to eliminate this? No surprise but of course the kiwi’s show that it can be done by a well drilled team, and reap the benefits.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH Reds, Walsh needs to wake up to himself, especially with these new tackling laws, as he seemingly is having a problem, in his ability to coach his squad in tackling the way it now should be. How many Red Cards has he had with his charges this season?? To many!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Not only her name HiKa as many uneducated commentators do have problems with many Polynesian & Melanesian names. Try listening to some Kiwi commentators who do more often than not, get it right!
HiKa
Roar Rookie
They might be doing that very deliberately since "paki" is regarded as an ethnic slur in the UK. Yes, it's their name but you can understand why broadcasters might be squeamish. In the 1970's my primary school had a Vietnamese refugee kid turn up whose name was Phuc. The teachers sure did struggle with that :laughing: although the Vietnamese pronunciation doesn't really rhyme with duck.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I was joking Muzz!
jeznez
Roar Guru
The Tron! :stoked:
jeznez
Roar Guru
No outfit today. North Stand and catching up with mates.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
An excellent men's final which threw up some quirks and stories, but that's rugby. I don't understand I got moderated when talking about the anthems but for continuity and if anyone's interested I'll drop in a match report to follow on from that post assuming it appears. Happy Sunday everyone!
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
France vs NZ. The Marsellaise is perhaps not quite as resonant as it was in Parc de Paris for the World Cup matches. Both men's squads looking focussed, sweaty, and ready.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Counter-attack after the USA chose a blindside packed with defenders. NZ read that! A dash up the wing from the turnover, and try! From the kick-off, the same scenario, oh dear. Final score is 36-7 to NZ, champions in Hong Kong 2024. Captain Pouri-Lane says "awesome"! Blyde says, "We treated it [Hong Kong] like the Olympic Games."
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Men beaten for the third playoff by Ireland. Not bad, but lacked their playmakers. And a few dropsies. Mens comp is pretty even and it depends who shows up that week. Argentina, seemingly invincible a few tournaments back, didn't even make the quarters here so its tough.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
3rd try to Blyde after a 3-on-2. Woodman created the space and angles. 22-7. All done by playing down the right end of the field.