Australian women in Rugby 7s quarters
dubai — Australia’s women had a shaky start to their title defence by just about managing to get through to the Cup quarterfinal of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens on Thursday night.
Two defeats, to England and the USA, bookended Australia’s day at The Sevens Stadium but the win against China was just about enough for them to make it to the last eight.
Australia, three-time winners here in Dubai, ended up as the best third-place finisher and will meet England again, who topped Pool B.
Meanwhile,NewZealand,alsothreetime champions here, had no such worries with Allan Bunting’s charges topping Pool A with three victories.
The Black Ferns, who won the opening round of the HSBC Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series in Glendale last month, will take on Russia again.
Meanwhile, Australia found their backs to the wall with the USA going on the attack from the get go with Kris Thomas giving the Americans the lead just 18 seconds into the contest. Nicole Heavirland then duly made the conversion.
Australia found it tough to breach the resolute American defence and were consigned to the mid-pitch for the remainder of the first half.
But the found a glimmer of hope after Cheta Emba was shown a yellow card by referee Sara Cox at the end of the half. Australia surged forward through Charlotte Caslick and Shami Williams before Dominique Du Toit made the crucial try. And although they missed the conversion, the Australians just about managed to stay in the game at 7-5.
Ilona Delsing Rosa Maher put daylight between them with twin tries on nine and 11 minutes as the Americans built up a 17-5 lead.
Australia had to go for broke and they did with Ellia Green’s try reducing the deficit after which debutant Lily Dick was set up perfectly by Evania Pelite for a try on 12 minutes.
Substitute Page McGregor made the conversion as Australia managed to draw level at 17-17. But Emba surged through from the right and sped away for the winning try in the final seconds.