Aussie7s win Cup Final in Sao Paulo

Feb 22 • General News, International, Sevens Rugby • 3451 Views • Comments Off on Aussie7s win Cup Final in Sao Paulo

The Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens team finished undefeated at the Sao Paulo Sevens, after dominating against Canada to win the final 29-0.

After back to back victories on the HSBC Women’s Sevens World Series in Dubai and Sao Paulo, Australia now sits 12 points clear of their closest rival, New Zealand in the World Series standings with three more tournaments to play before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games kick off in August.

Australia’s defence was crucial to the tournament victory with the Aussie side not conceding any tries in all three finals matches on day two.

Australia defeated Fiji (10-0) and USA (34-0) to progress to the final against Canada where torrential conditions dictated play as rain poured down in the Brazilian city.

Qantas Australian Women’s Head Coach Tim Walsh said: “It was a great tournament but it was our progressive performances that I was happy with.

“We started a bit slow this morning (against Fiji) and played one of our worst games but when it counted we really stood up.

“We worked hard on our strategy in terms of the [weather] conditions but you never know what you’re going to get.

“We’re a good team and we want to be able to be a good team in all conditions.

“Everyone wants to win a World Series but in the back of everyone’s mind is making sure we are peaking for Rio in August.

“Full credit to the girls for the way they perform and the way they train for the results. They try and better themselves constantly and it has made us the outfit we are today.”

Day two started in a lean fashion for Australia as Emilee Cherry scored the only try in the first half of the Sao Paulo Women’s Sevens Quarter Finals against Fiji as both sides attempted to progress.

A second half try to Ellia Green ensured the 10-0 victory over Fiji.

Green again came out strongly in the Semi Final for Australia with a breaking run 60 metres out from the USA line, burning the defence with sheer speed to open up a 5-0 lead.

Australia continued to apply pressure on the Americans with Amy Turner crossing the line and Australian Captain Shannon Parry powering through several tackles to take the score to 17-0 at half time.

The second half saw Australia step up their intensity in attack and tries continued to flow. Both Green and Turner scored their doubles as the Aussie side found their stride under the pressure of the Semi Final.

Despite a late charge by the USA they were unable to match Australia’s hunger for the victory with the women in gold running away with the match 34-0 to take them to their second successive final in the 2015-2016 HSBC Women’s Sevens World Series.

As heavy rain tumbled down in Sao Paulo, the Australians adjusted their match plans accordingly playing for territory in the wet conditions.

Australia was the first to strike on the scoreboard with Evania Pelite breaking through the Canadian line from within Australia’s half to score underneath the posts creating a 7-0 lead.

In the tight match there was little to separate the two sides as both teams pressured each other in defence with the wet conditions creating havoc on attacking opportunities.

With seconds remaining in the first half Alicia Quirk was able to find the gap following on from a break from Amy Turner taking the score to 14-0 at half time.

Australia’s third try came from the quick thinking of the Aussie backs with the women using rapid passes between three players to create a hole in the Canadian defence allowing Emilee Cherry to score in the corner.

With the pressure mounting on the Canadians and time running out, Australia ramped up the pressure on the Canadian defence. Ellia Green showed her superior pace and footwork to power through two attempted tackles to touch down next to the posts taking the score to 24-0.

Nicole Beck scored the final try of the match in the comprehensive victory taking the final score to 29-0.

Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens results in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 21 February
Australia 26-17 Fiji, Pool A
Australia 19-5 Ireland, Pool A
Australia 29-14 Canada, Pool A
Australia 10-0 Fiji, Cup quarter final
Australia 34-0 USA, Cup semi final
Australia 29-0 Canada, Cup final

HSBC Women’s Sevens World Series table (top 8): 1. Australia (40 points), 2. New Zealand (28 points), 3. Canada (28 points), 4. France (26 points), 5. England (24 points), 6. Russia (22 points), 7. Fiji 18 points, 8. USA 16 points