WATCH: Aussie scrum DEMOLISHES Ireland at Hong Kong Sevens
The Women’s Australian Rugby Sevens teams demolished Ireland in a scrum to secure a 19-12 win at the Hong Kong Sevens and a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
With the match in the balance, Australia’s scrum came to the rescue to secure a vital win on day one of the Hong Kong Sevens.
Strong start from the Aussie sevens
Bidding to become the first winners of the Women’s Hong Kong Sevens, Australia came out firing in their opening match, scoring seven tries to defeat Brazil 43-5.
Sariah Paki, Madison Ashby, Maddison Levi (2), Charlotte Caslick (2) and Teagan Levi crossed the whitewash, with Levi adding three conversions and Dominique du Toit another.
Off the left
Off the right
Off to the try line#HSBC7s | #HK7s | @Aussie7s pic.twitter.com/ELiNg7JPsv
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) March 31, 2023
However, Tim Walsh’s side faced a far more testing challenge in their second and final match of the day when they squared off against Ireland.
An early score from Faith Nathan calmed the nerves, but that would not last long as Ireland’s Kathy Baker struck back with Lucy Mulhall’s conversion giving her side the lead.
Levi and Caslick would add to their tallies with tries before the break as Australia led 19-7 at halftime.
The Irish fought back in the second half with Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe’s try with two minutes left to play, setting up a tense finish.
Match winning scrum
Ireland had the perfect opportunity to claim a draw against the second-ranked side on the Series standings.
They had a scrum inside the Aussie 22 with options left and right to attack from.
While scrums in sevens are viewed more like they are in rugby league – as a means of restarting play – Australia still see it as a contest for the ball, and in this case, they won it!
A brutal engagement was followed by a powerful drive as the Aussie front row demolished its Irish counterpart.
Stepping up under pressure
A powerhouse scrum and huge defence gets @Aussie7s over the line!#HK7s | #ImpactMoment | @DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/Tab0UyZ6hH
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) March 31, 2023
Ireland scrambled, but Caslick was quick over the ball at the breakdown to win the penalty.
She hoofed the ball into touch with the win, not only setting Australia up well for day two of the Hong Kong sevens but also securing them a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Australia face Fiji on Saturday in their final pool stage encounter. Meanwhile, the men’s side claimed a 26-5 win over Japan in their opening game.
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