Australia a step ahead in Atlanta

Australia proved their opening round loss to England was an aberration as they outclassed the rest of the field en route to their third consecutive HSBC Women’s Sevens Series tournament victory in Atlanta. After ending the USA’s dreams in the quarter final, they dispatched North America’s other hopes Canada before conquering neighbors New Zealand to lift the Cup.

Hosts USA took out their frustrations from the Australian defeat with a thumping victory over Fiji and cruised past Russia to lift the Plate. The 12 point haul pushes them four past Fiji into 7th place overall and another four behind 6th place Russia.

Canada will also be left wondering ‘what if,’ perhaps even more so as they fell to the eventual champions by only two scores despite playing well below their best. Handling errors and defensive lapses cost them dearly, and with their prime motivation gone they came off second best to England in the Bronze final.

South America’s lone entry Colombia will be happy just to have taken part in the tournament. After landing in the most difficult pool to start off, they put up a much more competitive fight against Japan and battled Spain before losing the 11th place match by four tries to two.

The Series now heads North-West to Langford, British Columbia, where Canada will hope to find a sharper edge on home soil. With 42 points they trail 2nd place New Zealand by only four and with only two tournaments remaining must make their move now. With three wins from three Australia are just about home and dry having collected the maximum 60 points and opening a virtually insurmountable 14 point chasm between the rest of the field.

DAY TWO RESULTS

CUP QUARTER FINALS
England 19 – 12 Russia
Canada 29 – 0 Fiji
USA 5 – 22 Australia
France 7 – 24 New Zealand

BOWL SEMI FINALS
Japan 19 – 7 Colombia
Spain 5 – 17 Ireland

PLATE SEMI FINALS
Russia 24 – 12 France
Fiji 0 – 38 USA

CUP SEMI FINALS
England 19 – 24 New Zealand
Canada 14 – 26 Australia

11th PLACE
Colombia 12 – 24 Spain

BOWL FINAL
Japan 15 – 26 Ireland

7th PLACE
France 28 – 0 Fiji

PLATE FINAL
Russia 7 – 19 USA

BRONZE FINAL
England 26 – 14 Canada

CUP FINAL
New Zealand 19 – 24 Australia