PACIFIC GAMES: In front of a chanting Papua New Guinea crowd the Australian rugby sevens Team has claimed three wins from three games on day five of the Pacific Games, to set up a huge gold medal match against Fiji.
The Australian Team scored victories against Tonga 29-7, Samoa 19-7, PNG 19-0.
Captain Nicole Beck said she was ecstatic with the team’s successful couple of days, claiming top spot on the ladder with all six wins from six round matches
“We had a very successful day. We were going to take it one game at a time but ultimately come away with the win. We managed the three wins so we’re very happy,” she said.
“We didn’t really know what to expect from some of the islander countries. But we knew if we stuck to our processes and our game plan that hopefully the result would follow today, very happy with the six out of six.”
Against Tonga Mahalia Murphy scored a hattrick watch the video highlights here courtesy of NITV.
The Team includes eight debutants looking to break into the successful World Series Team which secured Rio 2016 Olympic qualification earlier this year, including 18-year-old Laura Waldie.
“This event is absolutely fantastic. Every game was a tough contest, it was so hard every team gave us their all so it was so exciting to get the results we did and hopefully it’ll lead well into tomorrow,” Waldie said.
“I only got contracted on the first of July so I’m very new to the team. This is my first carnival with them, so I’ve officially played six games.
“I’m having the best time with the best bunch of girls. It’s just been a fantastic time at the Games.”
Head Coach Tim Walsh said Thursday’s three wins were well earned.
“I was really pleased. I thought we set a really good platform early on and the girls executed our policies and the results sort of took care of themselves,” he said.
“I thought Brooke Anderson, we’ve been holding her back because of an injury niggle, was exceptional.
“The leadership of Nicole Beck has been outstanding the whole game. She gave a pretty inspirational speech before the game and then she lead by example both in contact but also in the composure in attack.”
Fiji have recorded only one loss, to Australia, in the round matches.
“I’m expecting a tough game from Fiji. They really brought it to us in the round games and we’re expecting another level from them in the final so it’ll be a step up,” Beck said.
“We’re expecting all guns firing even more so than they were in the first game. It’ll be a battle of whoever can last the longest on the field,” Waldie said.
Despite minor injuries to young guns Dominic du Toit and Taleena Simon, Walsh said the Team is prepared to face Fiji.
“The injuries are pretty standard in sevens tournaments, you play so many games. It’s highly competitive and a contact sport it’s just one of those things you just have to deal with. It’s the same with every team and we haven’t got anything that’s too serious.
“We have to obviously manage them very well, getting them in the best possible preparations. Injuries are just sadly part of the contact sport.”
Walsh said the gold medal final will be a test for the young Australian Team.
“We expect them to be very physical, very entertaining and very skilful, so they’ll be offloading, they’ll be fierce in defence they’re very quick around the ruck area so we’ll have to be first in everything and then hold composure in finals rugby.”
Asked about a possible gold medal, Beck said she’s keen to add to Australia’s tally which sits at 28 medals.
“We’d be over the moon. I don’t think I’ll have words to describe how over the moon we’d be. We’re hoping we can do it and bring the gold home for Australia and add to our tally that the weightlifters already have.”
Australia take on Fiji at 7pm AEST on Friday.
Annie Kearney
olympics.com.au
