Aussie women clinch overall 7s series title

THERE was late drama on day two of the HSBC WRSS women’s event in Langford as Australia scored a try with the clock in the red against the Black Ferns 21-17 to win the title.

Australia was dominant and the win in Langford was their fourth gold medal in five tournaments, but the Black Ferns pushed them all the way.

The Black Ferns, who drew against Fiji 12-12 in their final pool match, led 17-14 as the clock went into the red in the final, but Australia never gave up and Lily Dick, later named HSBC Player of the Final, showed good footwork and strength to go in under the posts. Dominique du Toit converted as Australia celebrated.

Australia had accrued enough points to be crowned the overall series winners - it was a perfect weekend for them. Legendary Black Ferns star Portia Woodman also made it over the 200 try mark on the circuit in a decorated career, and the players and management performed the team haka to show their respect for her.

Thanks to World Rugby website, let’s review the Langford 7s tournament.

The final was a test of character for both sides as Maddison Levi picked up a loose ball in the second minute and then showed her pace on the edge to score the opening try of the game for Australia. It was her seventh try which was converted by Sharni Williams.

Midway through the first half a great pass from Sarah Hirini set-up Alena Saili for an unconverted try for the Black Ferns. Amazingly, it was the first try Australia had conceded in the first half all weekend, and they conceded another just before the break when a mix up in the Australian defence saw Sarah Hirini pounce for a five pointer, taking the score-line to 10-7 with seven minutes to go.

That messy try clearly annoyed Australia because soon after the start of the second half they took the lead when Charlotte Caslick scored a try. Sharni Williams converted for 14-7.

With over two minutes remaining the Black Ferns needed something special and it came from Michaela Blyde. She powered down the right and scored and then Tyla Nathan-Wong kicked a crucial conversion to make it 17-14.

That was all before Lily Dick’s late converted try sealed the deal.

The bronze medal went to Ireland after DHL Impact Player Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged four tries against France to win 22-14. Murphy-Crowe became the first Irish woman to score four tries in a series match and the first Irish woman to score 10 or more tries in a single series event.

On the other hand, the highlight for the home crowd was Canada picking up a fifth place finish and after they defeated USA 12-7 in their final game.

In the semi-final, in a repeat of the Tokyo Olympics finale, the

Black Ferns outclassed France 26-14. The other semi-final was a repeat of the final from Seville in the last tournament as Ireland took on Australia. The Aussies thumped the Irish 26-5.

The Cup quarters excited. France, who had won all their Pool B games on day one, met Fiji in the first Cup quarterfinal, and it was the French, helped by two second half tries from Camille Grassineau, who came out on top 31-14. Having finished second in their pool on day one, Canada was next up in the last eight against Pool C winners the Black Ferns. They were cheered on by the crowd, but they came up against a slick NZ side and the 38-0 triumph for the latter also saw Portia Woodman go through the 200 try mark for her country on the circuit. Ireland came back from 14-7 down to beat USA 1714 in the third Cup quarter-final, while the fourth tie was nowhere near as tight, Australia winning their one-sided tie against Spain 55-0.

The Fijiana, after losing to France in the Cup quarter-final lost to Canada 26-19 in the first fifth place semis. Florence Symonds

and Krissy Scurfield scored tries in the last four minutes. Reapi Ulunisau (two) and Sesenieli Donu scored tries for Fiji, which were both converted by Lavenia Cavuru.

USA set-up a mouth-watering fifth place play-off final, beating Spain 17-0 in the semi-final.

Finally, the Fijiana finished seventh after the girls beat Spain 26-7. Tries by Alowesi Nakoci and Raijieli Daveua, which were converted by Viniana Riwai, gave Fiji a 14-0 lead at half-time. Alowesi Nakoci, with her second, and Reapi Ulunisau scored tries for Fiji after the interval in the 26-7 win. Lea Ducher scored and converted Spain’s try.

After the completion of the fifth tournament, Australia leads the pack with 80 points, followed by France (60), USA (56), Ireland (54) and Fiji (45).

The Fijiana has a tough task ahead and they’ll need to bounce back and produce something special as was seen in Dubai!