Rio de Janeiro (AP) – The first Olympic rugby gold medal in 92 years has gone to a group of Australian women that includes a mechanic, an elite former sprinter and a 21-year-old newcomer who has traveled around Rio de Janeiro carrying an inflatable kangaroo.
Advertisement
They’re now the toast of the nation, but the Australian women’s rugby sevens team has caught the ire of one former Aussie Olympian.
“I really hope that this will put rugby sevens on the map and we can just grow and grow and get better and better”, Emma Tonegato added. You have a small attention span?
Canada earlier took the bronze with a 33-10 victory over Britain.
A loss wouldn’t have changed the quarterfinal standings, but it would have dented the aura the Australians developed with a dominating run in the world series.
Defeat to New Zealand in the semi-final set up a bronze medal clash with Canada, a team the Brits had comfortably beaten 22-0 in the pool stages.
Throughout the game, New Zealand seemed nervous and unsure of themselves, with players throwing imprecise passes, and taking opponents heads on rather than passing.
“Langford and PISE have meant a lot to us and have been so important for the development of women’s rugby”, said veteran Canadian player Kelly Russell, after the medal ceremony.
Woodman, meanwhile, was left counting the cost of a deliberate knock-on that left her jumping up and down in frustration on the touchline, while her underhanded team mates conceded two tries that turned the match.
However, this final jolt of energy came too late to turn the game around.
Still, he reckoned the performances at the Olympics were worth celebrating nearly as much as Japan’s win over South Africa past year in the traditional 15-a-side game, which ranked as the biggest upset ever at the Rugby World Cup. Their matches resulted in extremely unequal scores against the stronger teams, highlighting that the sport’s geographic reach and appeal is still very limited.
Robberds admitted he hadn’t missed a game and was “screaming” at the television when it was clear they were winners.
Sonny Bill Williams stays down after injuring his achilles in the NZ men’s sevens opening game of the Rio Olympics.
A large Australian fan sported neon leopard-print bermudas, giant sunglasses, and his national flag draped over this back, while a New Zealand supporter wearing a full-body Kiwi bird costume acted as a kind of cheerleader for his side.
However, the Brazilian spectators hardly reacted to the spectacle on and off the pitch.
Advertisement
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens’ side gave up the converted match-winning try with 1:05 remaining and although New Zealand attacked deep into stoppage time, Japan were able to hold on to shock the sevens world on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ Time).
