RUGBY SEVENS: The Youth Olympic Rugby Sevens semi-finals had all the thrills you expect of the fast-paced game, producing two fortified contenders for women’s gold: Australia and Canada.
“It feels pretty amazing,” Australian number 10 Shenea Ciesiolka said after Australia’s 33-0 defeat of the USA.
“We’ve had a tough couple of games during the tournament, but tomorrow is going to be a lot tougher.
“We just have to come out wanting to do our best and improve and get all the little things and basic things right. We’ll have a good recovery and come out tomorrow as best we can.”
In today’s semi final against the USA, it was clear the Australians came to play. Dominique du Toit put her foot down with the Australian’s first touch of the ball and raced away in the first 15 seconds of the match to score.
Caitlin Moran was hot-stepping again towards the end of the half, dragging the defenders right before spinning it back to the left. Good hands from the Australians put Ciesiolka into space and she hit the accelerator to score Australia’s second. The Aussies went into halftime up 14-0 courtesy of Moran’s conversion accuracy.
In the second half, Ciesiolka found some space off an American turnover and raced 40 metres, beating several defenders to score under the posts.
The Australians punished the USA for their mistakes again with quick hands to get Tiana Penitani across the line. Penitani did well to pick up an awkward ball from behind her but nailed the finish to put Australia up 26-0.
The Americans threatened with a bust down the right sideline, but du Toit and Laura Waldie did not want any tries scored on their watch.
With less than one minute remaining the Australians were still itching to score more tries, and a long run from Marioulla Belessis capped the match at 33-0.
In the other semi-final, China fell to Canada 26-19. China looked in control to deliver for the home crowd but Canada came home strong and scored the final two tries of the match.
Australia beat Canada in today’s earlier game 21-5. They had a far closer encounter with China on the opening day of competition, scoring in the last nine seconds to take the win 15-12.
“The girls have worked really hard and we know that sevens is anybody’s game,” Australian co-captain Brooke Anderson said.
“It’s definitely not time to drop off, it’s definitely a time to pick up and lift and get better each game- and we have been doing that so hopefully we can pull it off and get the gold for Australia.”
Anderson was rested for the semi final after suffering a head-knock in the previous match but hopes to play tomorrow, pending a medical assessment.
“We really wanted to push for Brooke to play tomorrow,” Moran explained.
“We kind of did that for her, we dug deep. So she gets another game tomorrow.”
With a great cheer squad in the stands, the Australians are also feeling the support from home thanks to social media.
“The support back home is really great- on social media we have heaps of people who are supporting us and watching the games,” Ciesiolka said after receiving over 600 likes on her latest Facebook post.
“I think everyone back home will be wanting us to do our best and hopefully we can make them proud and bring them home the gold medal. I know it’s just an amazing opportunity to play at the Youth Olympic Games and at such a high standard and hopefully get the gold.”
The women’s gold medal match kicks off at 10:00 Nanjing time. The final will consist of two ten-minute halves rather than the regular seven-minute halves.
Taya Conomos
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam
