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Australia proved to be a step ahead of the field as the Pearls took home the title in round one of the Women’s World Sevens Series. Defending champions New Zealand were shown the door by their neighbors in a terrific quarter-final encounter that went right to the wire. The semi-final against France was never really a contest after Emma Tonegato’s opening minute score paved the way to the grand final against surprise package Russia.
The going wasn’t easy, as they had to make due with only 10 players in the final after losing Sharni Williams and Chloe Dalton to injury earlier in the tourney. Russia stayed with them to the half and even took the lead by two points when when Marina Petrova crossed early in the second half. In the end Australia had too much class for the upstart European side, literally running away with victory when Ellia Green scorched 50 metres down the outside for a memorable score just moments later.
It was Petrova whose late try put Russia into the final in a tense semi encounter with England. Spain had been dispatched with consummate ease in the quarters, a continuation of the brilliant form shown on Day 1 that included the historic obliteration of New Zealand. They will take much confidence from the 2nd place finish and look certainties to qualify for the Olympics in Rio based on that display.
England took home some consolation by defeating France to win the Bronze, and New Zealand just about got by Canada in extra time to take the Plate. Canada will feel slightly hard done by, particularly with a try awarded to England’s Emily Scarratt in the quarter-final that might not have been had a television review been available.
USA meanwhile endured a miserable tournament, losing to Japan in the Bowl semi-final and escaping dead last by only a single try against newcomers Ireland. Even lowly Brazil fared better, taking it to the Irish to earn a spot in the Bowl final, where they would struggle against a more savvy Japan side.
The series now takes an unreasonably long break, resuming on February 20 in São Paulo, Brazil. World Rugby announced over the weekend that a fifth stop – in Clermont, France – would be added in May, but the gap does a disservice to the ever-improving women’s competition.
In the women’s invitational tournament, Great Britain Select emerged as champions, defeating France Development with ease in the final. The Maple Leafs narrowly lost to South Africa in the 3rd place match. Colombia finished in 6th spot, with wins over Kenya and Tokyo Phoenix along the way.
DUBAI WOMEN’S DAY 2 RESULTS
CUP QF 1 – Russia 24 vs 0 Spain
CUP QF 2 – Fiji 12 vs 19 France
CUP QF 3 – Australia 15 vs 12 New Zealand
CUP QF 4 – Canada 12 vs 17 England
BOWL SF 1 – Ireland 7 vs 29 Brazil
BOWL SF 2 – USA 14 vs 15 Japan
PLATE SF 1 – Spain 12 vs 21 Canada
PLATE SF 2 – Fiji 12 vs 33 New Zealand
CUP SF 1 – Russia 19 vs 12 England
CUP SF 2 – France 0 vs 26 Australia
11th PLACE – Ireland 24 vs 31 USA
BOWL FINAL – Brazil 0 vs 13 Japan
7th PLACE – Spain 14 vs 31 Fiji
PLATE FINAL – Canada 19 vs 24 New Zealand
BRONZE FINAL – England 10 vs 5 France
CUP FINAL – Russia 12 vs 31 Australia
