Sevens side beat Australia
He was comfortable from there as Reynolds and Kelly joined the Kiwi gun on the podium.
It was McLaughlin’s sixth victory at the Victorian circuit, taking him to fourth on the alltime list at the venue behind Craig Lowndes, Mark Skaife and Glenn Seton. His repeat success comes two years after he claimed both races at Phillip Island, taking his consecutive poles at the track to an extraordinary six.
McLaughlin’s terrific results, combined with a costly error from Whincup on Saturday, have shot him into a commanding lead after the fourth event of the year.
Mobil 1 Boost Mobile’s James Courtney was the only driver not to finish, bombing out on lap five. Rounding out the top-five was McLaughlin’s Shell V-Power teammate Fabian Coulthard and Nissan’s Michael Caruso, while Whincup finished a disappointing ninth. For the second time in seven days the Black Ferns women’s sevens side have broken Australian hearts.
After capturing gold in the Commonwealth Games last Sunday with a Kelly Brazier extra time try, New Zealand again pipped Australia at the death.
Tyla Nathan-Wong’s try with one minute remaining lifted New Zealand to a 17-12 semifinal win at the Japan Sevens leg of the World Sevens Series in Kitakyushu yesterday (NZ time).
It was a gutsy fightback from the Black Ferns Sevens seam, who trailed 12-0 early on.
New Zealand faced France in the Cup final. France eased past Spain 21-0 in the other semifinal.
Australia were clearly gunning for revenge and made a flying start.
They led 12-0 after three minutes through tries to Evania Pelite and Emma Tonegato.
A breakaway try from Gayle Broughton on the stroke of halftime gave New Zealand hope as they went into the break 12-5 down.
New Zealand reduced Australia’s advantage to 12-10 early in the second half after they won a turnover and Michaela Blyde scooted over.
Nathan-Wong gave New Zealand their first lead of the match with 1.12 remaining when she scooted across the tryline.