RUGBY SEVENS: The Australian Women's Sevens side have finished third to claim the bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.

The side’s first task was against France in a rematch of the World Series semi-final in Paris last month. The Aussies got out to a strong lead in the first half but France produced a remarkable comeback to pip the World Series champions after the full-time whistle and register a 19-12 win.

The Australians then faced hosts, USA, in the bronze medal playoff in front of a raucous home crowd at AT&T Park.  The match was an arm wrestle from the start as both sides traded blows but a double from superstar Ellia Green proved the difference with the Aussies running out 24-14 winners.

Australian Women's Sevens co-captain, Shannon Parry said,

"We’re proud of the effort to come away with the bronze after that hiccup against France. We really wanted to put on a good performance and I think we did that. 

“It is definitely a true test of character when you do lose and you have a key moment in a key match like that.

“To bounce back the way we did - it was very tight through the first half but to then extend our lead in the second half was very pleasing.

“It’s the end of the season now and it’s time to rest, recover and look forward to the Olympic qualifying year, next year,” Parry said,

WOMEN'S RESULTS

Semi Final: France 19 - Australia 12

Australia came into the semi-finals as favourites after defeating France in Paris to claim the 2017/18 World Cup. Being ahead 12-0 ahead of the break, the Aussie side were showing promise early through tries from Evania Pelite and Ellia Green.

France came out firing in the second half, with Chloe Pelle and Fanny Horta levelling the score to 12-12 before Anne Cecile Ciofani ultimately found the match winner, taking down the Australian side 19-12.

Bronze Medal Match: Australia 24 - USA 14

Australia went in against hosts USA without Alicia Quick who was ruled out with a knee injury after the semi-final loss to France, and Cassie Staples taking her place. A tense first half saw the score 7 a piece at the break with Evania Pelite scoring for Australia and USA responding through Naya Tapper.

The second half saw Staples make her mark, putting Australia in front with five minutes to go. Ellia Green then extended the lead scoring two tries and sealing the bronze medal with a 24-14 win.

MEN'S RESULTS

Challenge Trophy quarter-final: Australia 41 - Russia 0

Australia's task on day two of competition was to put the disappointment of their opening loss to Russia, behind them. Speedster Henry Hutchision scored the first points of the match, Ben O'Donnell scoring Australia's second five-pointer a minute later and Hutchison taking one more before half time.

In the second half, Liam McNamara, John Porch, Boyd Killingworth and Maurice Longbottom cemented the win for the Aussies 41-0.

Challenge Trophy semi final: Australia 19 - Canada 7

Lucas Hammond scored the first try of the game, giving Canada an early lead, but before the break, the Australian's levelled the score 7-all through a Ben O'Donnell, John Porch exchange.

When play resumed O'Donnell broke the deadlock with Porch following suit and giving the Aussie's the win 19-7.

Challenge Trophy final: Ireland 24 - Australia 14

Captain of the Irish side, Billy Dardis claimed the first try of the match three minutes into the first half, with Jimmy O'Brien following up before half time. Australia's John Porch answered with a 50m run to score under the sticks.

Ireland continued to dominate, scoring the first try of the second half through Tom Kennedy, before Maurice Longbottom kept the Aussies afloat with a second try with two minutes left to play.

In the end, it wasn't meant to be with Australia falling to Ireland 24-12, finishing in 10th place overall.

Australian Men's Captain, Lewis Holland said,

"It wasn’t at all the way we wanted to finish this tournament. The first game of the tournament was a bit shaky and we kind of built really well in the last two games but they aren’t the games we want to be in.

“To die in that last game against Ireland, they’re a good side, but we went away from things we spoke about and it’s disappointing. We didn’t get what we came over for, really. 

“It’s in us (to win these tournaments) there’s no doubt about that, we just need to revisit (past wins) and produce that.”

 rugby.com.au/olympics.com.au