The Rugby 7’s at the Commonwealth Games kicked off in Delhi today with round robin action. Here’s a quick review of how our boys went in their pool matches against Uganda, Sri Lanka, and the arch enemy, England.
Australia kicked off their campaign under sunny skies and circling bats against Uganda. Looking resplendent in the Canary yellow, the Aussies started in outstanding fashion with a try after just 28 seconds to Luke Morahan after a break down the left and a nice side step to finish off the play. With James Stannard’s conversion the score was 7-0.
Within 90 seconds Australia’s fastest footballer, Lachie Turner, scored with his first touch in the right corner and after an excellent sideline conversion from Stannard the Aussies were up 14-0 and looking good.
However, not everything went Australia’s way as Uganda put up some resistance and enjoyed their share of possession. Turner was showing his 7’s inexperience as he missed some tackles on his wing but made up for it right on half time after burning his opponent down the wing and after being ankle tapped, he eventually scored in the corner after ignoring 2 unmarked players which hadn’t gone unnoticed by coach Michael O’Connor during the half time talk. The conversion was waved away and the score was 19-0 at half time.
Whatever was said at half time must have worked as Australia regathered the restart and scored under the posts within 12 seconds through Liam Gill. Stannard converted to make it 26-0. Again Australia regathered the restart and it was a case of de ja vu as Gill went over under the sticks again untouched and Stannard’s conversion made it 33-0.
From here it looked like the score would tick over towards the half century mark but Uganda held on to the ball and were throwing it around and frustrating the Australians by retaining possession and they also denied the Aussies adding to their score after dislodging the ball from Sean Foley’s grasp with the line open with 2 minutes left.
Australia 33 – Turner 2, Gill 2, Morahan Tries; Stannard 4 cons
Uganda 0
AUSTRALIA vs Sri Lanka
The Next match saw coach O’Connor tinker with the starting lineup, possibly with an eye on the last pool game against England or perhaps to combat the hot conditions.
Australia started on fire with a try to Nick Phipps after just 23 seconds after a Liam Gill regather from the kick off. Stannard’s conversion got the Aussies off to a 7-0 lead.
Sri Lanka then manage to pin Australia down in their own end of the field and it took another 3 minutes for more points when Stannard put Nick Phipps over for his 2nd try of the match under the sticks. Stannard easily converted for 14-0.
Pretty much straight from the restart Sitauti Kimani scored after a barnstorming run down the right wing that left a Sri Lankan defender in his wake with a don’t argue and nice step inside for the 3rd try of the match.
The 4th try was not one of the best Australia scored as it appeared they were trying to do too much and getting caught up in the ruck contest in the lead up. Eventually Luke Morahan picked up a loose ball and went over.
Right on the back of the previous try and on the stroke of half time, Australia regathered the restart and the Sri Lankan defenders held off Liam Gill who ran 30m untouched to score. Stannard converted again and the Aussies went to half time up 35-0.
Coach Michael O’Connor’s message about scoring under the posts must have been heeded as all 5 of Australia’s first half tries were scored under the posts to make James Stannard’s conversions simple in the quest for top spot if for and against was to come into the equation.
The second half was not Australia’s best as Sri Lanka made the most of the possession and were chucking it around and scored a try through Sooriyabandara who outran Sitauti to the line in a one on one encounter.
The same player nearly scored again straight away but a great covering tackle from Luke Morahan spared Australia’s blushes. It summed up Australia’s play in the second half which was riddled with errors and it took until the 13th minute for Australia to score again, this time through Western Force player Nick Cummins. Cummins has been moonlighting as a lineout lifter and was probably glad to be doing what he’s used to. Stannard converted to keep his 100% kicking for the match in tact for a final score of 42-5.
Australia 42 – Phipps 2, Sitauti, Morahan, Gill, Cummins tries; Stannard 6 cons
Sri Lanka 5 – Sooriyabandara try
AUSTRALIA vs England
Australia took on England in their last pool match of the day knowing their place in the quarter finals was safe.
The Australian’s started off well with Luke Morahan making a break down the left side and was tackled but were awarded an attacking scrum in the 22 from the resulting play. Some poor execution saw it lead to nothing.
Australia were awarded a series of penalties that eventually led to and England player taking a 2 minute break in the bin for repeated infringements. Quick play from the Aussies saw Bernard Foley dive over under the sticks and after Stannard’s conversion Australia were up 7-0. Australia didn’t take their chances with the 1 man advantage but held on until half time to be in the lead.
The second half saw England on the front foot after regathering the restart and after a missed tackle in the midfield, Danny Caprice scored under the posts and Gollings converted for 7-7. Lachie Turner responded with a try of his own after collecting a loose ball and running away from the defence down the left wing. Stannard’s conversion saw Australia regain a 14-7 lead with 4 minutes remaining.
England’s Matt Turner took advantage of missed tackles, again in the midfield, and made a break and was run down by Stannard just short of the line, but he was able to get back to his feet and dive over after Stannard collected a stray boot to the face that saw him unable to complete the try saving tackle. Gollings converted to level at 14-14.
Once again, the the restart problems that plagued Australia was shown again as England regathered and Danny Caprice put the afterburners on to scoot away and score in the corner. An outstanding conversion by Gollings from the sideline saw England up 21-14 with 2 minutes to play.
Australia didn’t give up and attacked the English line and once again the referee reached for the pocket after repeated infringing by the English right on the full time siren. A quick tap was taken and Captain pat McCutcheon dived over to give the Aussies a chance of drawing the match. Unfortunately for James Stannard, his attempt was waved away from a position that probably should have been converted.
England 21 – Caprice 2, Turner Tries, Gollings 3 cons
Australia 19 – B Foley, Turner, McCutcheon Tries, Stannard 2 cons
Australia will take on Kenya in the Quarter Finals which will be played on Tuesday at 4:52pm EDST.
The other Quarter Final matches are New Zealand vs Wales, South Africa vs Scotland and after a late surprise win by Kenya over Samoa in the pool matches, England will take on Samoa.
Other Pool D results:
England 59 Sri Lanka 7
England 55 Uganda 0
Uganda 35 Sri Lanka 5
