A tough moment on the dais for our Women’s Sevens as they proudly accept silver in Rio.
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The sevens world series-winning Australian women extended their streak to five straight wins against 2013 World Cup winners New Zealand, quite a change in fortune in the broader rugby context.
The Australian victory was the result of four tries by four different players, a show of versatility by the best-rounded team of the tourney, which now adds an Olympic title to the Rugby World Cup it won this year.
“I hadn’t been playing rugby league very long when we won the World Cup and probably didn’t understand at the time how big that was [beating the Kiwis]”, Tonegato said.
“I think hockey is as hard as any of the team games you play”, Charlesworth said.
Australia’s good start to the Olympics continues as the nation sits in the box seat for double equestrian gold with one round left of the three day eventing at the Rio Games.
“It’s great, this sport is for you – watch it”, said Canadian Captain Jennifer Kish, whose side won bronze by beating Britain 33-10.
The depth of the 12-team men’s competition is considerably greater than the women’s tournament, which ended Monday with No. 1-ranked Australia and No. 2-ranked New Zealand in the final. “It was very much a minority sport”.
Although New Zealand would open the scoring through Kayla McAlister, Australia’s skill and determination was on full-show as they scored the next three tries to cement the country’s fourth gold medal at Rio.
Meanwhile, the United States were 19-5 victors over France to secure fifth spot, while Spain beat Fiji 21-0 for seventh.
The men’s tournament begins at the Deodoro Stadium on Tuesday.
Britain, who were beaten 25-7 by silver medallists New Zealand in the last four earlier on Monday, trailed 26-5 at half-time, with Canada taking full advantage of Scarratt’s yellow card for a deliberate knock on.
Tonegato’s early equalizer was contentious after she appeared to fumble the ball as she crashed over in the corner, but referee Alhambra Nievas awarded the try after checking with both assistant referees.
Born in New Zealand, she represented the Maori Sevens and the New Zealand Touch Football Team before she moved to Brisbane when she was 20.
“The girls gave it everything but sometimes it is just not enough, and fair play to Canada”. “They love it, and rugby’s in our genes, and we knew they were going to bring it”.
She’s targeting Olympic gold in Tokyo, saying “I’m not feeling like this again”.
Canada was looking for a second upset win over Australia, which is regarded as the class of the tournament and with good reason.
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Green admits she was lucky to have been in the right place at the right time when she dropped her cousin off at a sevens trial four years ago.
