Monday 7 March, 2016

Aussie Sevens fall at final hurdle to Fiji in Vegas

The Qantas Australian Men's Sevens team has fallen agonisingly short of winning the Las Vegas Sevens after losing to world series leaders Fiji.

Australia saw off South Africa (14-12) in a bruising Cup Semi-Final before Fiji staged a second-half fightback to take all 22 Sevens World Series points on offer (21-15) in another memorable Final.

After finishing runners-up in Sydney last month, Australia's Cup Final appearance in the USA was the first back-to-back tournament deciders it has reached since May 2010.

Qantas Australian Men's Sevens Head Coach Andy Friend said: "We'll take a lot out of this tournament and it's up to us to carry this momentum that we first gained in Sydney, and now Las Vegas, through to Canada and the rest of the series.

"Today's games were two physical encounters. In my opinion, in the Semi-Final, I didn't think we played our best football but we hung in there and managed to get the result. In the Cup Final, we wanted to move Fiji around a bit and managed to do that at various stages. However, credit to Fiji who took their chances in the second half."

Assessing the Australian Men's Sevens program, Friend added: "We're building depth in the squad and building a depth as well as our own game style. We know we have a lot of work to do though everything is headed in the right direction.

"Losing two Cup Finals in a row is disappointing but we are learning with every single game and must continue the hard work."

At a blustery Sam Boyd Stadium, Australia raced into a 15-point lead in the Cup Final against Fiji. Tries from Sam Myers, a long-range effort from Ed Jenkins and Cameron Clark had the Fijians on the back foot throughout a near-perfect first half from the Australians.

However, with the wind now wreaking havoc, Fiji hit back with 21 unanswered points of their own. Kitione Taliga (2) brought the islanders within touching distance of the Australians on the scoreboard before Quade Cooper was incredibly denied when looking set to score. From the ensuing knock-on, the ball found its way to Savenaca Rawaca who sprinted the length of the field to give Fiji the Cup.

Australia booked its spot in the tournament decider after a thrilling, last-gasp win over South Africa. Boasting Springbok legend Bryan Habana in its ranks, no quarter was given in a brutal first period.

Lightning South African winger Seabalo Senatla opened the scoring midway through the first half after a quick-tap penalty caught the Aussie defense off guard. The second stanza continued in much the same vein but this time Australia's spell of possession resulted in a penalty try being awarded after Quade Cooper was illegally denied the opportunity to dot down in the right corner.

With the try converted, Australia were leading but four consecutive penalties for the South Africans piggy-backed them up the field and Blitzboks skipper Kyle Brown scrambled over under the posts to hand the lead back to the Cape Town winners.

However, with the last play of an enthralling game, Allan Fa'alava'au danced through the opposition defense and offloaded to skipper Ed Jenkins. With the try-line gaping, Jenkins was taken out illegally with a head high shot by Rosko Specman and the match official had no option but to award a penalty try. Quade Cooper slotted the conversion from under the posts to hand the Australians an astonishing win.

Elsewhere in Las Vegas, South Africa claimed third sport by beating hosts USA (21-10) with New Zealand finishing fifth after a win over surprise packet Japan (27-7) to take the Plate Final.

The 2015-16 HSBC Sevens World Series heads north to a sold-out Vancouver for the inaugural Canada Sevens next weekend. Coach Andy Friend is expected to make several changes to the 12-man squad he will take to Canada.

Qantas Australian Men's Sevens results in Las Vegas, USA, 5-7 March
Australia 26-0 Scotland, Pool B
Australia 35-5 Japan, Pool B
Australia 36-7 England, Pool B
Australia 26-12 Argentina, Cup Quarter-Final
Australia 14-12 South Africa, Cup Semi-Final
Australia 15-21 Fiji, Cup Final

Final placings for the HSBC Las Vegas Sevens (Top 6): 1. Fiji (22 World Series points), 2. Australia (19 points), 3. South Africa (17 points), 4. USA (15 points), 5. New Zealand (13 points), 6. Japan (12 points)

Current 2015-16 HSBC World Series standings (Top 6 - after five rounds): 1. Fiji (91 World Series points), 2. South Africa (86 points), 3. USA (82 points), 4. Australia (73 points), 5. USA (64 points), 5. Argentina (64 points)

 

 
The Australian Sports Commission is proud to support the ARU's National Rugby Sevens program by providing funding and direct athlete support as part of Australia's Winning Edge game plan for moving from world class to world best