Welcome to Green and Gold Rugby’s live coverage of the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens Finals.
This is your place to be for the latest news from Australia’s Finals Campaign at the World’s most famous Sevens tournament.
Australia qualified for the Cup Quarter-Finals by beating Scotland and Portugal in Pool B, finishing second to New Zealand.
A Cup Quarter-Final loss to South Africa 7-5 set the Australians on a collision course with England in the Plate Semi.
A good win against our arch-rivals saw Australia progress to a thrilling Plate Final win over USA 21-17.
Thanks for following our coverage of the Hong Kong Sevens 2015.
Match Report: Australia def. USA 21-17
Nic Darveniza
Australia have held out a late USA comeback to clinch the Hong Kong Sevens Plate Final 21-17.
Despite trailing 12-7 at halftime, Cam Clark and Shannon Walker combined to add another two tries to the Australian tally early in the second.
A late USA try brought the game within four points and if not for a horrible pass under pressure USA would certainly have stolen the game on the buzzer.
19-year old debutant Brad Wilkin was reflective about his first International Rugby Sevens tournament.
“I thought we had it in the bag, so we got a bit complacent there. They scored as soon as I got on and I realised we’re in a bit of trouble here. We really had to defend well and luckily we held them out, which was really pleasing.
“The whole week’s been pretty special. It’s an unreal tournament and invaluable experience all week.
“Just playing in front of so many people – I’ve never done that before. It’s an awesome buzz and it’s something I’m really proud of.
“It’s a massive step-up, as I’ve found out a few times this weekend. This has all happened so quickly.. It’s awesome to have the opportunity to get out there.”
Smart play from Pama Fou had the Australians up 7-0 after just 40 seconds. A well-executed jackal won the towering winger a penalty which was quickly tapped and transferred under the posts for a try.
The USA struck back minutes later through Andrew Durutalo but a failed conversion preserved Australia’s lead.
The run of play was going all Australia’s way before US wing Perry Baker latched on a telegraphed cutout pass. The speedy Gridiron convert took the intercept to the house, carving out a 5 point lead.
With time for one more play before the half Australia won back their kickoff and dispatched Cam Clark on a streak down the left wing. A dive for the corner called for the Hong Kong Sevens first unoffical TMO decision which came back with a no-try verdict to bring on halftime.
Australian coach Geraint John learnt from his mistake against South Africa by bringing Shannon Walker in to the fray earlier.
Within 25 seconds John’s decision was rewarded when Walker scored a remarkable try by busting through three tackles to equalise, and the conversion took Australia to the lead for the first time since the opening minutes.
With the game teetering on a knife edge Pama Fou bumped off one and fended another to break through the line before offloading to Cam Clark.
A brilliant support line carried the Australian playmaker under the posts and his side to a nine-point lead.
The deal almost sealed, the Australians relaxed just enough for Madison Hughes to break down the right touchline to score – opening up the game once more for an epic roller-coaster finish.
The Americans won back possession in final play and in the dying seconds created a 15 m overlap on the left wing.
If the pass went to hand there could be no doubt the USA would snatch an incredible win.
Alas, it was not to be – to the horror of the crowd the pass couldn’t meet it’s target. The ball skidded in to touch, and the full-time whistle blew to deliver Australia fifth place in the Hong Kong Sevens 2015.
Australia will no doubt celebrate the six-point gap between themselves and 5th placed England on the World Rugby Sevens ladder.
Team Lists
Australia
2. Jesse Parahi
6. Con Foley
9. Ed Jenkins
1. Nick Malouf
7. Cameron Clark
8. Greg Jeloudev
10. Allan Fa’alavu’au
Non-starters: 3 Sam Myers, 4 Tom Lucas, 5 Brad Wilkin, 11 Pama Fou, 12 Shannon Walker
USA
3. Danny Barrett
4. Garrett Bender
6. Andrew Durutalo
5. Zack Test
8. Maka Unufe
10. Madison Hughes
11. Perry Baker
Non-starters: 1 Carlin Isles, 2 Nick Edwards, 9 Nathaniel Augspurger, 12 Matai Leuta
LIVE COVERAGE:
Jack Hewitt
0′ – They are on the pitch. Both teams look concentrated and ready for what will be a massive clash of two strong teams.
1′ – Australia kick’s off to USA. An early mistake from Australia leads to USA making meters through the midd.
1′ – Great defence from Pama Fou and an amazing pilfer leads to a penalty to Australia. The quick tap was taken and Pama Fou runs through the American defence to score under the posts for Australia’s first try.
2′ – Australia lead 7-0
2′ – America make ground by passing the ball wide and breaking the line.
3′ – Australia’s defence is once again too strong for the attacking to find the line.
3′ – USA pass the ball wide and out paced the Australian defender to score in the left hand corner. Kick unsuccessful.
4′ – Australia 7 USA 5
4′ – USA kick to Australia. Australia take a sloppy catch and are on the attack just outside of the 22. AMAZING run from Nick Malouf pierces the hole and runs 70 meters down the pitch and hands off to a fellow Australian but fall just short of the line. Australia lose possession but only for a moment as USA threw a forward pass.
5′ – Sloppy play through the middle from Australia.
6′ – The ball is flying around everywhere with Australia receiving the penalty.
7′ – Australia tap inside the defensive 22. Intercept try from American number 11 Perry Baker from a loopy loose ball from Australia. Kick converted.
7′ – The hooter sounds with America to kick off for last play.
7′ – Australia take a tough catch look to close the half on a high. Cam Clark amazing break from inside the 40 to run down the left and out pace the two American defenders. Cam is tackled over the line and the referee pauses the time for confirmation.
7′ – The referee takes it upstairs for a review. NO TRY. Cameron Clark denied a try for being tackled over the line for the closing of the first half.
Half Time Score: Australia 7 USA 12
Second Half:
0′ – USA kick off to Australia. Australia play to the left hand side of the field. Australia lose possession to a USA kick for touch of a penalty.
1′ – American line out successful but really scrap. Passing wide USA look to run through Australian defence. Australia turn over. Australia run through the middle of the field and earn a penalty.
2′ – They kick to touch.
3′ – Substitutes are being made by Australia. Immediate impact from Shannon Walker yet again provides Australia with a try in the right hand corner. Amazing individual brilliance.
4′ – Cam Clark converts the kick successfully.
4′ – Australia lead 14-12
4′ – Incredible play from number 11 Pama Fou creates holes in the American defence. Cam Clark amazingly steps through the American defence and successfully converts his own try under the post.
5′ – Australia lead 21 to 12.
6′ – 2 minutes to play. Australia looking to capitalise on a strong lead and close the Final.
6′ – Australia knock on their own kick off. USA scrum feed.
7′ – America have a big break down the right hand side through a Cam Clark miss tackle leaving him behind as he kicks in the after burners. Kick unsuccessful.
7′ – America have possession in the middle of the and pass the ball wide to the left and have a miss opportunity to score with a 2 man over lap. The ball goes out and ends an epic clash between Australia and America.
7′ – AUSTRALIA WIN THE FINAL 21 def. 17
Full Time Score: Australia 21 USA 17
Full Time: Australia wins a clutch finish in what was deemed the most exciting game of the day.
Match Report: Australia def. England 12-7
Nic Darveniza
Australia are through to the Plate Semi-Final of the Hong Kong Sevens after dispatching local favourites England 12-7.
The victory dealt a telling blow to England’s hopes of usurping Australia’s hold on fourth place in the World Rugby Sevens Series – the cut-off point for automatic Olympic qualification ahead of the Rio de Janeiro games.
For the third game in a row Australia’s bone crunching physicality in defence was the major factor in victory. England’s X-factor Dan Norton was completely shut out of the game in an incredible defensive effort.
Defensive star Jesse Parahi said: “It’s good having a few big blokes in your side, you can hit it up and control the midfield and you’ve got options to play off. It makes it really easy.
“It was a really physical game, and whenever we hit it off against each other it’s always tough. We were the lucky ones to come away with the win.”
“We centralised not too long ago, and since then our play has come along in leaps and bounds. The culture in our team is good, all the boys are great mates and its great to be playing with them.”
Whenever Hong Kong host England and Australia on the same pitch the intensity rises on and off the field. The higher the stakes, the more tense the atmosphere.
The equal mix of voracious English and anti-Australian supporters were baying for blood at kickoff, and were rewarded by a bad knock in the opening seconds.
Australia looked cowed in the opening minutes of the match as their normally organised backline confined themselves to just 15 metres of space on the left flank.
It took several powerful runs from Ed Jenkins and Jesse Parahi to batter the Australians out of their box.
Jenkins busted through two tackles and raced by another to open Australia’s scoring two minutes in.
England were visibly frustrated by their lack of success in the first half, met at every turn by compelling defence.
The midfield was owned by Australia’s team of enforcers (see above clip) and England had no answers.
Australia’s substitutes made their impact felt early as well in a great team performance. A fantastic run and offload from Shannon Walker created a chance for Australia finished by Ed Jenkins for his second of the day.
England managed a consolation try in front of the South Stand after the final hooter.
The Australian Captain’s brace against England increase his lead as the team’s leading try-scorer heading in to the 9:00 pm AEDT Plate Final showdown with the USA.
Team Lists
Australia
2. Jesse Parahi
6. Con Foley
9. Ed Jenkins
1. Nick Malouf
7. Cameron Clark
8. Greg Jeloudev
10. Allan Fa’alavu’au
Non-starters: 3 Sam Myers, 4 Tom Lucas, 5 Brad Wilkin, 11 Pama Fou, 12 Shannon Walker
England
3. Phil Burgess
5. James Rodwell
12. Alex Gray
4. Dan Norton
6. Tom Mitchell
7. Dan Bibby
9. Marcus Watson
Non-starters: 1 Jeff Williams, 2 Charlie Hayter, 8 Tom Bowen, 10 Josh Watkins, 11 Richard de Carpentier
LIVE COVERAGE:
Jack Hewitt
First Half:
0′ – AND THEY ARE OUT FOR THE SEMI FINAL! Australia Vs. England
0′ – England kick off to Australia. The favourite team of the tournament verses the hated team.
1′ – Australia knock on. Lost the ball in the sun. England attack fast through the middle then throwing the ball wide. However losing the ball forward for a Australia scrum
2′ – Australia attack and play wide. Strong run. All of Australia on the far left side.
3′ – Australia rewarded the first penalty for not rolling away in the ruck.
3′ – Australia play wide and break down the right wing.
3′ – Ed Jenkins makes a magnificent run through the middle splitting the defence in two. TRY to AUSTRALIA!! Kick was converted by Cam Clark.
4′ – Poor kick off from Australia allows England the time to pass wide and make a break.
5′ – England throw a forward pass for an Australian scrum feed. You can see the frustration in the English camp.
5′ – Great running rugby from Australia. This is the best attack we have seen from them this tournament. Jesse Parahi breaks two tackles, powerful run.
6′ – Australia are penalised for obstruction. England kick to touch short of 50m.
6′ – Ed Jenkins yet again makes a powerful run breaking a tackle. However is penalised for not releasing. England yet again put it into touch.
7′ – The hooter goes and the Australian defence is too strong for England to capitalise on a wide running opportunity. Australia are awarded a penalty for not releasing and kick the ball into touch for half time.
Half Time Score: Australia 7 England 0
Second Half:
o’ – Australia kick off to England. England knock the ball out in an attempt to tap the ball back.
1′ – Australia successful throw. Passing the ball wide the Australians look unstoppable.
1′ – Pama Fou making a strong run through the middle of the field.
1′ – Passing the ball wide Australia look to score in the left hand corner but fall short.
2′ – Australia are awarded a penatly. England lose a man to the bin (1 Jeff Williams)
2′ – Australia pass wide to the right corner. England a awarded a penalty and kick for touch.
3′ – Great physically is being let down by penalties with England finding a opportunity in the middle of the field on their 22m.
4′ – Jeff Williams back on the field of play.
4′ – England throw long. Australia with amazing physicality and brutality in defence with Cam Clark making a crunching hit in the centre of the field.
4′ – Nick Malouf sub’d off for Shannon Walker and immediately makes an impact break through a tackle leading to an off load to his captain.
5′ – Ed Jenkins scores to the right of the post. Cam Clark unsuccessful in the conversion.
6′ – Australia kick and receive their own kick off. Playing to Shannon Walker England wrap him up for a penalty and make a quick tap and break down the right.
6′ – England are awarded a penalty. Tap is made and passes are thrown wide and long. Australia’s defence looks unbreakable.
7′ – Playing up the middle England look to open their account. However huge hits are made by the Australian defence. England are awarded a penalty on the hooter for a last dying effort to get a point on the score board.
7′ – English scrum is sloppy with the ball flying out the back. Scrambling attack sees England find some space and width out wide.
7′ – England find a whole through number 6 Tom Mitchell to score for England in the Semi Final. Kick was successfully converted.
Full Time – Australia advance through to the Final against either USA or Argentina. Australia looked both strong in attack and defence during the game. Courageous effort from the Aussies see them being successful in defeating their rivals England 12-7.
Final Score: Australia 12 England 7
Stay tuned for the Match Report: Australia def. England 12-7
Match Report: South Africa def. Australia 7-5
Nic Darveniza
South Africa have knocked Australia out of Hong Kong Sevens Cup contention in the Quarter-Finals 7-5.
An epic defensive performance from the Australians had the crowd in awe as top-ranked South Africa were denied time and time again before finally stealing the lead with a minute to play.
Australian head coach Geraint John said: “It was just key moments in that game that we lost a bit of composure. We had the ball and we had a penalty and we ended up going off doing our own little things and we couldn’t get that final pass. We need to tidy up in attack a little bit there but I can’t fault the attitude and hard work and intensity of the players, that’s phenomenal.
“Great physicality comes from the great team spirit. We’ve got a great culture in the group. They want to work for each other, they trust each other, they support each other and they have the confidence in each other. We have a saying: “We’re going to keep working. It’s non-stop and we want to be ruthless” and that’s our goal. I think we’re seeing that on the field. As I said we need to be a little bit smarter. If we can get the balance then we’ll be pretty close to knocking the door off some of these teams.
“There’s only so much you can defend. There was still time on the clock to get the ball, and we had the opportunity at the end. We had an attacking lineout, we had possession and we just gave it away. The way the game was going it was always going to go down to the last play.”
South Africa began the match trying to rustle the physical Australians with aggressive linespeed and gang tackles.
However, this tactic heightened the Blitzbokke’s susceptibility to offloading, which Allan Fa’alava’au exploited with a neat effort to Jesse Parahi to open scoring.
In attack Australia missed several opportunities through poor decision making. South Africa’s defensive gameplan had players chasing the ball all over the pitch, leaving their original positions exposed. A reversal or switch back in to this space would have resulted in several easy tries, but Australia didn’t take advantage.
South Africa introduced more variation in attack in the second half, chip kicks behind the line adding more pressure on the already embattled Australian defence.
The goal-line assault lasted for what felt like hours, each Australian adding a try-saving tackle of their own to the match highlight tape.
A strong run in tight from Werner Kok carried South Africa over the line for the equalising try, and Cecil Afrika kicked a clutch conversion to take the lead.
The impact substitution of Shannon Walker paid dividends in an exhilarating final minute. The livewire outside back created hesitation in the defence that Australia again went close to exploiting.
Australia played above and beyond what was expected of them in the face of good competition, and have booked a Plate Semi-Final showdown with arch-rivals England.
With the gap between automatic Olympic qualification so close between the two sides, it is vital Australia progress to the Plate Final by beating England at 6:02 pm AEDT tonight.
Team Lists
Australia
2. Jesse Parahi
6. Con Foley
9. Ed Jenkins
1. Nick Malouf
7. Cameron Clark
8. Greg Jeloudev
10. Allan Fa’alavu’au
Non-starters: 3 Sam Myers, 4 Tom Lucas, 5 Brad Wilkin, 11 Pama Fou, 12 Shannon Walker
South Africa
3. Frankie Horne
4. Kwagga Smith
6. Kyle Brown
5. Werner Kok
7. Branco du Preez
10. Cecil Afrika
11. Seabelo Senatla
Non-starters: 1 Chris Dry, 2 Philip Snyman, 8 Stephan Dippenaar, 9 Justin Geduld, 12 Rosko Specman
LIVE COVERAGE:
Jack Hewitt
First Half:
0′ -South Africa kick off to Australia. Australia run strong through the middle of the field. Earning the first penalty for off-side.
1′ – Australia kick to the right corner just short of the 22. Cam Clark makes a strong run taking on three South African defenders however a loose ball from Australia lead to a South African scrum.
2′ – Scrum to South Africa – They kick the ball deep inside the Australian 22. Chasing back the Australian defender regathers and kicks the ball to the 50m line.
3′ – First line out of the match to South Africa. A terrible throw leads to an Australian break down the left.
4′ – An impressive run from Allan Fa’alava’au creates a hole for Jesse Parahi to open the account for Australia. Kick was unsuccessful from Cam Clark. 5-0 Australia lead.
5′ – Australia kick off to South Africa short on the 10m
6′ – A penalty against South Africa for bridging in the ruck.
6′ – Australia’s first line out for the game. The throw was not straight. Scrum South Africa.
7′ – Penalty to Australia. Australia kick to the left corn 10m short of the line. Australia looking strong.
7′ – The hooter goes and South Africa steal the ball but lose the ball immediately due to a knock on. Australia regather possession and kick to the sideline for Half Time.
Half Time Score: Australia 5 South Africa 0
Second Half:
0′ -Australia kick to South Africa. South Africa makes a great run down the left linking brilliantly with other teammates. A try saving tackle from Con Foley combined with an amazing pilfer from Cam Clark gives Australia a penalty.
1′ – Penalty to South Africa. Quick tap taken. Play building up through the middle. Sloppy ball results in a Australia scrum feed.
2′ – Penalty to Australia. Run left down the wing. Pama Fou on for Nick Malouf. South Africa rewarded a penalty.
3′ – A chip in behind the Australian defence and tackled inside the try line results in a South Africa 5m scrum.
4′ – Courageous defence from the Australian’s. South Africa rewarded a penalty.
4′ – South Africa play up through the middle. Amazing defence from Australia prevent a try. South Africa play wide and still can’t break the Aussie defence.
5′ – South Africa score in the right side after endless plays. Werner Kok scores with Cecil Afrika converting.
6′ – 1 minute of play to go. South Africa lead 7-0. Australia take the kick off and play confidently through the middle.
7′ – Impact substitute from Shannon Walker who immediately makes a brave strong run breaking the line. Australia penalty reaching the South African 22.
7′ – Australia through the ball and recover.
7′ – Australia loses the ball and South Africa comfortably kick the ball into the touch to win their Quarter Final against Australia.
Full Time – Australia lose the Quarter Final against South Africa in a courageous battle. South Africa were clutch in stopping Australia from scoring in the dying minutes.
Full Time Score: Australia 5 South Africa 7
Stay tuned for the match summary.
