The Australian Women’s 7s team battled hard on day 2 of competition at the Rio Olympic Games overnight, but now progress to the medal round as they take on Canada tonight (Monday night/Tuesday morning) at 3:30am (AEST). The competition was tougher than what they encountered on the first day and the Aussies were made to work hard in both matches. It all comes down to tomorrow now to determine who takes home the first ever Women’s Rugby Gold Medal.
Australia 12 drew with USA 12
Starters:
1 Shannon Parry
5 Emma Tonegato
6 Evania Pelite
7 Charlotte Caslick
8 Chloe Dalton
10 Alica Quirk
12 Ellia Green
Substitutes:
2 Sharni Williams
3 Nicole Beck
4 Gemma Etheridge
9 Amy Turner
11 Emilee Cherry
Scorers:
Emma Tonegato 2 tries; Chloe Dalton con.
Notes:
- Oooh boy this was a tough game.
- Australia started perfectly retaining their own kick off, recycling the ball wide and giving it Green in some space down the side. But Green was hit hard in the tackle, with an unfortunate head on face contact leaving the Australian winger groggy and out of the game in less than a minute
BANG! Ellia Green sidelined after sickening hit. But she didn’t want to go off! #WhatALegendhttps://t.co/zZ3mztbRwM https://t.co/N8QDonySZy
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 7, 2016
- The loss of Green really seemed to shock the Aussies as they struggled to show the composure and control they had the previous day.
- Quirk pulled off a belter of a try saver after a first try to the USA seemed certain.
- The USA were putting immense pressure on the Aussies at the breakdown, an area they had all their own way the day before.
- That gal Tonegato scored the first try pouncing on a USA dropped ball and streaking away to score a pressure relieving try.
- Quirk was involved in some very important touches around the park, working hard on both sides of the ball.
- USA seemed set to score a wonderful try from a kick across field to their pacey winger from their own 22m, but Caslick pulled off one of the best cover defending tackles you’ll see in saving the day. It ensured the Aussies would go to the break 5-0 up, but definitely under the pump.
- The USA were first to score in the 2nd half through the speed of Jessica Javelet, outpacing the Aussies on the outside.
- Turner, for the Aussies, then looked to create some good space before throwing a poor pass for Javelet to score her 2nd try in two minutes and give the Americans a 12-5 lead with just four minutes to play.
- The Aussies were guilty of some loose passing and another such error was thankfully cleaned up by Cherry who made a strong break late in the game, only to be taken down before the line before the ever present Tonegato picked up the ball to reach over and score. Dalton kicked the conversion to give the Aussies a lucky 12-all draw.
- Phew
Quarter Final: Australia 24 defeated Spain 0
Starters:
1 Shannon Parry
2 Sharni Williams
5 Emma Tonegato
7 Charlotte Caslick
8 Chloe Dalton
10 Alica Quirk
11 Emilee Cherry
Substitutes:
3 Nicole Beck
4 Gemma Etheridge
6 Evania Pelite
9 Amy Turner
12 Ellia Green
Scorers:
Charlotte Caslick 2, Emma Tonegato, Ellia Green tries; Chloe Dalton 2 con.
Notes:
- The good (if somewhat surprising) news was that Green was cleared to play and would come off the bench for the Aussies.
- Australians again made to battle from the start with a hard working Spanish team refusing to give the Aussies any space.
- Tonegato (who else?) scored the first try for the Aussies in the 4th minute from a delightful Quirk pass.
- A Caslick special, dummying and speeding away, came a minute or so later and eased any jitters the Aussie had as they went to the break 12-0 up.
- Spain were perhaps unlucky to have a tried disallowed soon after the break when it was ruled they knocked on in goal chasing a kick. Soon after though, Caslick sped away for yet another classy try that would seal the deal for the Aussies.
- It was fantastic to see Green come back on to the field and her value to this team was shown soon after with a great try out of nothing that showcased her strength and speed. We will need her X-Factor tomorrow.
- Special mention to Quirk who did some invaluable work in both matches and also played every minute of both games and never stopped working.
Other Results:
Group A:
Fiji 36 defeated Colombia 0
Group B:
Spain 19 defeated Kenya 10
New Zealand 26 defeated France 7
Group C:
Brazil 26 defeated Japan 10
Great Britain 22 defeated Canada 0
Quarter Final 1:
Australia 24 defeated Spain 0
Quarter Final 2:
Canada 15 defeated France 5
Quarter Final 3:
Great Britain 26 defeated Fiji 7
Quarter Final 4:
New Zealand 5 defeated USA 0
Remaining Games:
Semi Final 1:
Australia v Canada @ 3:30 am Tuesday morning (AEST)
Semi Final 2:
Great Britain v New Zealand @ 4:00am Tuesday morning (AEST)
Bronze Medal Match:
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 @ 7:30am Tuesday morning (AEST)
Gold Medal Match:
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 @ 8:00am Tuesday morning (AEST)
