RUGBY SEVENS: Half-back Charlotte Caslick scored Australia’s first hat-trick at Olympic level in rugby sevens as her side beat Colombia 53-0 at Deodoro Stadium.

With the mercury surpassing 35c at pitch level, Tim Walsh’s side bossed proceedings from start to finish in registering a nine-try drubbing of the South Americans.

Co-captain Sharni Williams opened the scoring in the first 90 seconds after receiving an offload from Shannon Parry before a sensational step in midfield from player of the match Caslick eased any nerves that might have been in the Australian camp.

Emma Tonegato dotted down sixty seconds later with Parry and Caslick also proving too hot to handle as they both scored to give the green and gold a 27-point lead at the break.

Queenslander Caslick completed her hat-trick within 30 seconds of the restart of the second half as she strode clear to extend her sides advantage. There was still time for replacement Nicole Beck to score a double of her own while Amy Turner opened her account for the tournament with a try of her own.

Caslick said: “It’s great to get a hat-trick but I think I’m just the lucky one who just has the easy job of finishing. It’s nice and hot out here which suits us but the girls played really well out there but we all know this is just the start.

“Fiji will be a hard side to break down and will be on a high after beating the USA. It won’t be easy and we respect them hugely.”

Earlier today, Australia’s next opponents, Fiji, edged past the United States 12-7 in a physical encounter. The Australian women’s rugby sevens side play Fiji at 7.30am on Sunday morning (AEST).

Final score: Australia 53 (T: Williams, Caslick 3, Tonegato, Parry, Beck 2, Turner. C: Dalton 3, Etheridge 1) Colombia 0

Steve Stammers
olympics.com.au