Australia finish third at the Hong Kong 7s
The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens team has finished in third place at the Hong Kong 7s after defeating the USA 26-19.
Earlier in the day, the Aussie 7s accounted for Argentina 21-12 in the Quarter Final before falling to a rampant Fiji 12-33 in the Semi-Final.
Australia has been drawn in Pool C for the Singapore Sevens next weekend and will take on Argentina, Kenya and Samoa.
On the HSBC Sevens World Series ladder, Australia currently sits in the sixth position on 79 points narrowly behind the USA on 82 points.
Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Andy Friend said: “I thought our boys did incredibly well after the loss to Fiji and bounce back the way that they did.
“They showed a lot of belief and composure to beat a good USA team to finish third. I’m proud of them.
“I think we are playing some really good Rugby but we still have a lot of room for improvement.
“This is a really exciting group and the important thing now is to keep this group together to keep building towards Tokyo 2020.”
Australia 21 defeated Argentina 12
Australia started the match well but did not make the most of the opportunities given to them and missed out on opening their account. Argentina showed the importance of counter rucking to steal possession and take a 0-7 lead as the first half progressed on. Boyd Killingworth seized an opportunity with a gap in defence to run 50 metres to score underneath the posts to lock scores up at 7-7 at the break.
The second half saw Australia come out firing with Henry Hutchison scoring in the corner after a dominant passage of play. The Aussie 7s camped in Argentina’s half and Tom Lucas dummied and sliced through the line to extend Australia’s lead to 21-7. A late try to Argentina brought the score to 21-12, but it was enough to ensure Australia progressed to the Semi Finals.
Australia 12 were defeated by Fiji 33
The Aussie 7s took it the Fijians in the opening phases of the match but a loose pass allowed Fiji to gain possession and scored a counter-attacking try in the corner to take a 0-7 lead. Fiji doubled their efforts, highlighting their class at Rugby Sevens scoring two quick tries to take a 0-21 lead. The Aussie 7s were unable to get hold of the ball as Fiji continued to put pressure on Australia scoring a late try to take a 0-26 lead into half time.
The second half saw an improved performance from Australia as they wrestled the momentum away from Fiji. Two quick tries to Australia gave the Aussie 7s hope of stealing a victory, however, Fiji showed their class to score a final try and take the game 12-33.
Australia 26 defeated USA 19
With no love lost between the two sides, Australia came out hard against the USA looking to nullify their speed out wide. Lachie Anderson opened Australia’s account with a blistering run to score in the corner and give Australia a 7-0 lead. Charlie Taylor added another five points moments later when he crashed over next to the posts extending the gap to 14-0. The USA scored a late try to take the game to 14-7 heading into the break.
The USA were the first to score in the second half but the men in gold countered quickly with a try of their own to take the score to 21-12. The Americans continued to fight hard and a try from the speedster, Perry Baker brought the game to within striking distance. The Aussie 7s continued to attack and a late try to James Stannard sealed the victory for the Aussie 7s, 26-19.
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