The Australian Men’s 7s Olympic campaign has ended in Rio over night when they shared a two match ‘mini-series’ 1 all with South Africa. Australia surprised most by pulling off a fantastic last pool round win to beat South Africa earlier in the day (our night) and with results going our way, we qualified to make the quarter finals where we would once again meet the Boks.
AUSTRALIA 12 defeated South Africa 5 (Pool Game)
Starters:
2 Jesse Parahi
3 Henry Hutchison
5 James Stannard
6 Con Foley
7 Cameron Clark
9 Ed Jenkins
12 Tom Cusack
Substitutes:
1 Nick Malouf
8 Pat McCutcheon
10 Allan Fa’alava’au
11 John Porch
13 Tom Kingston
Scorers:
Jesse Parahi, Tom Cusack tries; James Stannard con.
Notes:
- South Africa kick off and it’s out on the full. Great for the Aussies.
- Stannard throws a wide pass and it’s ruled forward. Was it? Regardless possession goes straight back to SAF.
- Thankfully the SAFs knock on almost immediately.
- Great control by the Ausies (finally), Stannard grubbers and regathers and Parahi is following in support and goes over.
- Australia almost regather the kick off, the ball ends up in touch. South Africa’s throw isn’t straight (wind being a big factor) and Australia have a big opportunity.
- Some more positive, controlled play by the Aussies with a strong Jenkins run. They keep trying to find space for Hutchison but it’s not there yet. Ball is recycled well and Cusack barges over.
- Only seconds to go in the half and SAF finally have the ball. Foley chops Specman down in a great tackle, but is penalised at the ruck. Harsh. SAF knock on again and that’s the half. Very impressive performance by the Aussies and South Africa are very messy.
- Great kick off with a massive tackle by Clark and a knock on is again forced on South Africa.
- A good break by Stannard but he knocks on slightly at the tackle. Now SAF go wide but knock on as well. Australia off the hook and now have the scrum hot on attack.
- Damn. We’re penalised a the ruck and the strong breeze helps SAF as they put in a big kick for touch.
- Finally South Africa hold on to the ball and stretch Australia on both sides of the field and soon enough find the gap and they’re over.
- Brilliant steal from Stannard in the last minute of the game. Stannards head is split open and he’s forced off.
- The Aussie throw is not straight (thanks wind) and whilst it’s full time, the Boks have the scrum feed.
- SAF are penalised almost immediately for not releasing and we kick it into touch for the win.
- The Aussies must wait and see for other results to go their way. With Great Britain defeating New Zealand, our progression is confirmed.
AUSTRALIA 5 are defeated by South Africa 22 (Quarter Final)
Starters:
2 Jesse Parahi
3 Henry Hutchison
5 James Stannard
6 Con Foley
7 Cameron Clark
9 Ed Jenkins
12 Tom Cusack
Substitutes:
1 Nick Malouf
8 Pat McCutcheon
10 Allan Fa’alava’au
11 John Porch
13 Tom Kingston
Scorers:
Tom Cusack try
Notes:
- Very good control by the Aussies early on as they sweep the ball back and forth across the field, making progress forward. Finally the give a penalty away at the tackle but SAF knock on soon afterwards – will this be a duplicate of the first match where SAF continued to let us off the hook?
- There’s a turnover at the ruck and SAF breakthrough to score the first try.
- A boost for Australia as SAF are infront of the kicker. Free kick on half way.
- SAF force a penalty and take the ball down the other end of the field and find the overlap to score their second try. Very clinical.
- South Africa are excellent in defense as we just can’t find a way through. They are not making the mistakes either.
- We secure the kick off and are awarded a penalty. Cuasck takes a quick tap and offloads to Fa’alava’au to make a break and then offloads back to Cusack to score a crucial try right on half time.
- The kick off is a very good deep one.
- Con Foley snags a brilliant steal and the ball is spun wide. Jenkins is strong in contact but drops the ball in the tackle.
- A good deep kick by SAF in general play and Fa’alava’au is isolated and we knock on soon afterwards.
- It looks like SAF are over in the corner. Did Hutchison take him into into touch? TV ref says no but the SAF had dropped the ball just before the line.
- 5m scrum to Australia, we win and Kingston puts in an average kick.
- 5m lineout to SAF which they win, and score from.
- All or nothing now and we chance our arm. Continued great SAF defense forces a loose ball that South Africa kick through. Parahi does his best the clean it up and regain possession but the ball goes loose and South Africa score. Game over.
OTHER RESULTS:
Group A:
Argentina defeated Brazil 31-0
Fiji defeated USA 24-19
Group B:
France defeated Spain 26-5
Group C:
Japan defeated Kenya 31-7
Great Britain defeated New Zealand 21-19
Quarter Finals:
Fiji defeated New Zealand 12-7
Japan defeated France 12-7
Great Britain defeated Argentina 5-0
South Africa defeated Australia 22-5
REMAINING GAMES:
Friday 12 August:
Fiji v Japan (Semi Final) @ 3:30am
Great Britain v South Africa (Semi Final) @ 4:00am
Bronze Medal Match @ 7:30am
Gold Medal Match @ 8:00am
All times AEST
