Tuesday’s rugby news has the Women’s Sevens team winning gold, Wallaby youngsters impressing, Toutai Kefu coaching Queensland Country in the NRC and Lewis Holland fit and firing.
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Women’s 7s Win Gold
The Australian Women’s Sevens team has defeated New Zealand 24-7 to win the Gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
Australia led 10-5 at half time but tries to Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Ellia Green and Charlotte Caslick along with two conversions from Chloe Dalton put the game out of reach for New Zealand.
“THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! #GOLD #Olympics,” tweeted the Aussies 7s account.
“Huge congratulations but also commiserations to @nz7s ! What an opponent, what a rivalry! You had an amazing tournament #Olympics“.
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Youngsters Impressing
Wallabies captain Stephen Moore has been particularly impressed by the young players in Wallabies camp currently training on the Central Coast.
Reece Hodge, Lopeti Timani, Tom Robertson and Allan Alaalatoa are all currently uncapped and have been included in the squad.
“I think we’ve tried a few different combinations out at training and played in a few different positions so I think this week we’ll go into more specifics in terms of preparation for the next couple of weeks,” said Reece Hodge.
“At this stage I’m just training wherever I’m put and I try to execute my skills in whichever position I’m put.
“I’ve played half at centre and half at fullback this year with the Rebels so either centre position or fullback I’m (most comfortable) and even the wing.
“I’m comfortable playing wherever I’m put and I’ve just got to keep developing the range of skills that suit each position.”
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Kefu to Coach Country
World Cup winner Toutai Kefu has been appointed head coach of NRC team Queensland Country.
Kefu’s assistant coaches will be former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn who will be forwards coach and Queensland Under-20s coach Jason Gilmore who will be the attack coach.
Kefu has a tough job in front of him with the Queensland Country side only winning just four of their 16 games in the 2014 and 2015 NRC seasons.
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Holland Fit
Men’s Sevens star Lewis Holland is over injury concerns and looking to help Australia win another Gold medal in the Sevens.
Holland injured his ankle in April which saw him miss eight weeks, only returning in June.
“He is looking red-hot mate,” Men’s Sevens coach Andy Friend said.
“He changes the game because he attacks the line. Defences have to come to him because he runs at the hole and that opens up a line for Cam Clark or Hutchy (Henry Hutchinson) or somebody else to run off him.”
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