RUGBY SEVENS: The Qantas Australian Women's Sevens side have created history after claiming the HSBC Sydney7s title thanks to a 31-nil victory over New Zealand in the Cup final.
Since the HSBC Sevens World Series began in 1999, no team - in either Men's or Women's - has ever won a tournament without conceding a point but Australia did it in style, as they ran in 213 points in attack in front of a boisterous local crowd.
Qantas Australian Women's Sevens coach, Tim Walsh said: "I’m just stoked with the way that we performed. Everyone is talking about zero points, which was pretty pleasing and defence is all in the desire and attitude and they certainly showed that.
"In our plan, this is one tournament we were targeting - we've got the Commonwealth Games and for the team the World Cup as well. I think we'll celebrate tonight and then be very tired when we get back to work on Wednesday.
"Being here in Sydney and seeing all the players' friends and families like they were in Rio is pretty amazing.
"Last year, our season theme was respect and character. How do we maintain performance after coming off such a high? To turn around this year and win two from two and playing some of the best rugby we've ever played and clearly the best defence we've ever had, ranks higher because of that, because of the work and the effort they put in after such a long period of time," Walsh said.
Australia 31 defeated New Zealand 0
Some brutal Australian defence put New Zealand on the back foot from the outset and it didn't take long for Australia to capitalise as Shannon Parry stormed her way through to score the opening try. The game quickly turned into a slog fest as Australia kept New Zealand at bay on their own goal line before launching into attack. Australia kept their foot to the floor as the half drew to a close with Charlotte Caslick sniping down the blindside to take the score to 10-nil at half-time.
A sin bin to New Zealand after the half-time siren didn't help their cause and Australia made the most of their numerical advantage after Emilee Cherry slid through a gap to feed Ellia Green to score under the posts. Australia weren't done there though as Evania Pelite got her name on the scoresheet thanks to a draw and pass from Sharni Williams. Australia's intense defence didn't relent on New Zealand though, who continually coughed up possession with Emma Sykes dotting down for a try of her own next to the posts to wrap up the scoring.
HSBC Sydney7s day two results
Australia 29 defeated Spain 0
It took Australia just a minute to open the scoring after taking the kickoff, the Aussie women went 80 metres to score next to the posts through Charlotte Caslick. Emilee Cherry grabbed Australia's second shortly after thanks to a 40 metre solo effort to dot down in the corner. Caslick had a double with a minute left to play in the half, with Cherry turning provider for the number seven to sprint away underneath the posts to make it 17-nil at the break.
Sharni Williams kept the score ticking over in the second half with the co-captain too tough to tackle from close range as she barged her way over to extend the margin. The Sydney crowd was treated to a full field special just moments later as Alicia Quirk dabbed a grubber behind for Emma Tonegato to collect and weave her way downfield to score underneath the posts.
Australia 31 defeated Russia 0
Australia launched into their semi-final clash with Evania Pelite earning a split brow after her aggressive defence put Russia on the back foot. Emilee Cherry broke the deadlock after three minutes with Tonegato able to draw the defender and allow Cherry to run around the defensive line to score. Cherry then put on a try on for Tonegato, capping a period of sustained pressure for Australia and make the score 12-nil at the break.
Charlotte Caslick opened the second half scoring, spotting a gap behind the defence and sprinting 40 metres to score under the posts. Cassie Staples then made it 24-nil with two minutes left to play, thanks to a well weighted grubber behind from Emma Sykes. Alicia Quirk eventually closed out the game, snatching an intercept to run 50 metres to make the final score 31-nil.
rugby.com.au
