The Australian men’s 7’s team had a tough day at the office on the opening day of the Rio Olympic 7s overnight. There were hopes that the euphoria of the women’s Gold Medal winning performance may have been enough to spur the men on to more glory. The opportunities were there for them as they were to face two teams lower than them on the rankings. But things didn’t got their way.
AUSTRALIA 14 Lost to France 34
Starters:
2 Jesse Parahi
3 Henry Hutchison
4 Lewis Holland
5 James Stannard
6 Con Foley
7 Cameron Clark
9 Ed Jenkins
Substitutes:
1 Nick Malouf
8 Pat McCutcheon
10 Allan Fa’alava’au
11 John Porch
12 Tom Cusack
Scorers:
Jesse Parahi, Ed Jenkins tries; James Stannard 2 con.
Notes:
- A mistake from the kick off indicated that it was going to be a battle for the men to produce the same level of clinical play that the women did.
- France looking very sharp immediately. Forcing Aussie mistakes
- Australia are putting in some really aggressive tackles perhaps trying to put the French off their play.
- The big hits weren’t sustainable however and soon enough for through for the first try of the game.
- Australia started again and were playing a much more direct game when they finally got their hands on the ball.
- After a bit of an interchange a loose ball was ruled as off an Australian hand, perhaps questionable, regardless France streaked away for another try.
- Critical mistakes too often and the first half saw France with all the momentum.
- France too a penalty shot at half time to extend the lead to 17-0.
- A much better start to the 2nd half by the Aussies. Hutchison was involved in a strong run up the middle before Parahi took it further and put in a big fend to power over.
- Is the tide turning? After recovering the kick off and putting the French under pressure, Holland takes a quick tap in his own half, passes to Clark for a big run who off-loads to captain Jenkins to score the try.
- Looking good again, before Hutchison is penalised for a high tackle trying to recover his own kick through. France counter and take the ball to the other end before a brilliant Stannard tackle saves the day.
- Aggghhhh. Loose handling by Fa’alava’au who tries to bat the ball back to a team mate but France pick it up and score.
- More arghhh as Stannard puts in a rather aimless kick and France run it straight back for a try.
- A game where the Aussies looked completely off the pace and the French pretty much were always in control.
AUSTRALIA 26 defeated Spain 12
Starters:
2 Jesse Parahi
4 Lewis Holland
5 James Stannard
6 Con Foley
7 Cameron Clark
9 Ed Jenkins
11 John Porch
Substitutes:
1 Nick Malouf
3 Henry Hutchison
8 Pat McCutcheon
10 Allan Fa’alava’au
12 Tom Cusack
Scorers:
Jesse Parahi, Con Foley, Cameron Clark, John Porch tries; James Stannard 3 con.
Notes:
- Spain coming off a 24-0 loss to South Africa where they never looked like scoring.
- Australia score a try from the kick-off. Great deep kick which Spain just left, Porch with an excellent chase, the ball ricochets off the goal post and Clark goes over. Excellent start.
- Stannard over throws a lineout and Spain pick it off and pass it wide and just out pace the Aussie defense to score a try. Not good.
- Potentially a questionable knock on ruled against us from the kick off. Spain just control the ball and soon are in again. Back to back tries when they couldn’t get close against South Africa.
- Finally Australia are able to control the ball. Looking good again and Parahi goes over from close to the line following a Foley quick tap.
- Porch snags a great turn over penalty, takes the quick tap and streaks down the side-line for an important try.
- Another long kick off follows, and Jenkins puts the Spanish under pressure at the ruck. Porch is through the defense but a pushed pass goes forward with a try imminent.
- Foley darts over from the base of the scrum right on full time to help the for and against a bit.
- Bad news for the Aussies with Lewis Holland out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring strain. Travelling reserve Tom Kingston comes in for the rest of the tournament.
OTHER RESULTS:
Group A:
Argentina defeated USA 17-14
Fiji defeated Brazil 40-12
USA defeated Brazil 26-0
Fiji defeated Argentina 21-14
Group B:
South Africa defeated Spain 24-0
South Africa defeated France 26-0
Group C:
Great Britain defeated Kenya 31-7
Japan defeated New Zealand 14-12 (nb. Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out of the tournament with an Achilles rupture).
Great Britain defeated Japan 21-19
New Zealand defeated Kenya 28-5
REMAINING GAMES:
Thursday 11 August
Match 13 12.00am Pool B France v Spain
Match 14 12.30am Pool B South Africa v Australia
Match 15 1.00am Pool C Kenya v Japan
Match 16 1.30am Pool C New Zealand v Great Britain
Match 17 2.00am Pool A Argentina v Brazil
Match 18 2.30am Pool A Fiji v USA
Quarter-Final matches from 6am
Friday 12 August
Semi-Final matches from 3.30am
7.30am Bronze Medal Match
8.00am Gold Medal Match
All times AEST
As it stands Australia is currently in second spot on the ladder on for and against. Unfortunately they play the high flying South Africans tonight whilst France play Spain. If results go as expected we will finish third in our group, and our only chance of progressing is as one of the top 2 ranked third place getters. If we do loss to SAF, we need to make it as close as possible. OR JUST WIN!!
As it stands Japan would be one of the best third place getters and they play the out-of-sorts Kenya tonight. Argentina then become our closest challenger and they will take on the host nation Brazil.
So, in summary, things are looking tough for the Aussies.
