Singapore Sevens: Australia 'firing' to stay on track for decider with ...
Singapore Sevens: Australia ‘firing’ to stay on track for decider with New Zealand in ‘phenomenal’ women’s event
Alicia Lucas, the 2016 Olympic rugby gold medallist, said Australia’s women were “out-and-out firing”, after their destructive form booked a Singapore Sevens semi-final meeting with France on Sunday.
The green-and-gold routed Fiji 60-0 in their closing group fixture on Saturday before a 24-14 quarter-final win over Ireland that belied a one-sided game.
Singapore is poised for a dream final as it hosts a women’s competition alongside its men’s event for the first time. New Zealand breezed through to a last-four contest with Fiji, who recovered from their Australian slaying to beat Japan 12-10 in an absorbing quarter-final.
The Kiwis and Australians came into this closing HSBC SVNS Series leg level-pegging on 106 points at the top of the season standings. Should each overcome their semi-final opponents, they would set up a contest to decide the league winners.
New Zealand brushed past Canada 31-7 to complete a perfect group stage, before Great Britain offered little resistance in a quarter-final won 24-5 by the imperious Black Ferns.
Lucas, an HSBC global brand ambassador, whose Australia team toppled New Zealand in the 2016 Rio Games final, said: “It is incredible to have the women playing in Singapore for the first time, and they are dominating this stadium.
“Australia are out-and-out firing, and their performance against Fiji was incredible.”
France are third in the series standings, and will be no pushover for Australia. A 24-0 quarter-final cruise against Canada made it four wins from four in Singapore.
It would be a shock of almighty proportions if New Zealand’s bid for a fourth straight tournament triumph came unstuck against Fiji. When the teams last met, in Los Angeles in March, the Kiwis eased to a 38-7 victory.
Bryan Habana, the South African 15s legend, said Hong Kong had shown the way when hosting a women’s world series leg in 2023.
He added that New Zealand’s Portia Woodman-Wickliffe – who on Friday became the first woman to score 250 series tries – and fellow try machine Michaela Blyde had sprinkled stardust on the women’s game, along with Maddison Levi of Australia.
“The competition in Singapore has been absolutely phenomenal, and after Hong Kong had its second women’s event last month it shows the incredible growth of the women’s game,” Habana, also an ambassador for HSBC, said.
“Players like Portia, Michaela and Maddison consistently showcase their skills, and are great at engaging with fans around the world. The women have grabbed their opportunity to show superstar skill and athleticism on a global stage.”
In the men’s, Great Britain beat France 35-7 to earn a semi-final against Ireland, who swept past title rivals Argentina 21-5. New Zealand and Australia will reprise their Hong Kong semi after beating USA 19-14 and South Africa 29-24 respectively.
