PACIFIC GAMES: The Australian rugby sevens Team is set for a tough second day of competition at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The Team will face Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea on day five of the Games. Head Coach Tim Walsh said after three wins from three matches on the first day of competition, he couldn’t have asked for a better start.

The Team beat Fiji 26-7, New Caledonia 22-5 and Tahiti 59-0.

“Three from three is what we’re after,” Walsh said. “We set a really good platform in the first game with eight girls on debut against Fiji.

“In the second game we had good execution in the attack.

But he said the Team can’t afford to be complacent.

“We review every match in depth. If we’re gonna get better we need to do it.

“We’re very honest as a team, we need to take criticism because it’s going to make the Team better.”

Walsh said Captain Nicole Beck led from the front. “She’s vital to our leadership, a really important part of the Team.

“I was also really impressed with Nanjing Youth Olympian Captain Brooke Anderson.

She was really aggressive and had some good tackles.

“Plus Mahalia Murphy on debut was great.” Walsh said Friday’s competition will be tough.

“Today’s three matches are going to be very physical, the girls will be tested.

“All three teams played pretty well yesterday so it will be tough.”

The Australians will face a vocal home crowd against PNG at Sir John Guise outdoor stadium in the last game on Thursday.

“Yesterday we were PNG’s second team, but we’ll see tonight,” Walsh said.

Asked about a possible Australian appearance in the gold medal match on Friday, Walsh said the Team won’t be getting ahead of themselves.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time. “I expect Fiji to be in it.

They’ve got their full World Series team here and they’ve been impressive.

They made early errors, but they’re going to be dangerous if they can hold onto the ball.”

Annie Kearney
olympics.com.au