GAME BY GAME: Australian Women's Sevens win Commonwealth Games gold as Men fall to New Zealand

Sun, Jul 31, 2022, 8:11 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
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The Australian Women's Sevens side have claimed the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with a 22-12 win over Fiji.

A first-half burst put the result out of question as Faith Nathan scored a double, securing the first gold medal in program history.

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This came after an incredible semi-final performance to eliminate New Zealand 17-12, getting a measure of revenge four years on from Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, the Men's side finished fourth after defeats to South Africa and New Zealand

They produced a gutsy 7-0 win over Samoa to book their spot in the final four before falling to South Africa 24-12 in the semi-finals.

The Kiwis proved too strong in the bronze medal match as they cruised to a 26-12 win.

Follow a recap of all the action, game by game below:
Australia Women's 38 v South Africa Women 0

Australia have cruised to victory in the opening pool match of the Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens, defeating South Africa 38-0.

Tim Walsh's side were dominant from the start as Maddison Levi burnt the defence to score inside 30 seconds.

Three further tries in the space of five minutes, including a double to Levi, put the game well out of reach by half-time.

Charlotte Caslick then put an exclamation on the strong start, racing 80 metres to score straight from the kick off.

Madison Ashby's late try helped seal the shutout win as they prepare to face Scotland later in the day.

Australia Men's 62 v Jamaica Men 0

Australia has sent a major message to the rest of the competition, thumping Jamaica 62-0.

Wallaby Samu Kerevi looked a class above his opposition as he scored within 30 seconds before setting up Nathan Lawson two minutes later.

Two further tries to Kerevi further established their dominance as John Manenti's side picked up where they left off from London.

Captain Nick Malouf and vice-captain Maurice Longbottom put the result well and truly out of doubt, with a late yellow card allowing Lawson to cross for his second before Mark Nawaqanitawase sealed the win.

Australia Women's 50 v Scotland 0

Australia have continued their strong start to the Commonwealth Games with a hat-trick to Maddison Levi inspiring the world champions to a 50-0 thumping of Scotland.

Levi once again opened the scoring as Tim Walsh's side cruised to a commanding lead with the Scottish down a player.

Levi's second and further tries to Sariah Paki and Sharni Williams allowed them to build a 28-0 advantage at the break.

From there, the Sevens Rookie of the Year completed her hat-trick as Paki crossed for a double, with young gun Jesse Southwell putting the finishing touches to a strong performance

Australia Men's 12 v Uganda Men 12

Australia has survived a major scare to draw 12-all with Uganda

Captain Nick Malouf started with a bang as he collected the loose ball to race away and open the scoring.

Desire Ayera gave Uganda a 7-5 lead at the break before a great tackle from Mark Nawaqantiawase helped swing momentum.

This allowed Henry Hutchison to strike as he capitalised on a mistake to give the Aussies the lead.

However, ill-discipline came back to haunt John Manenti's side as Maurice Longbottom and Dietrich Roache found themselves yellow carded.

Down to five, the Australians could not stop Philip Wokorach with two minutes to go to level it up before Wokorach missed a kick on the siren to give Uganda a famous victory

Australia Women's 12 v Fiji Women's 19

Fiji have shocked world champions Australia, coming away with the 19-12 win.

Fiji got off to the perfect start with Rusila Nagasau bursting away to open the scoring.

Sesenieli Donu added the second just before the break as they cruised to a 12-0 lead.

Raijieli Daveua charged away after the break to extend the margin as Fiji cruised to victory

Two late tries to Maddison Levi and Demi Hayes helped reduced the margin but Fiji found enough to hold on

Australia Men's 7 v Kenya Men's 5

Australia have secured the top of their pool with a 7-5 win over Kenya

The Australians struggled after an early yellow card to Mark Nawaqanitawase, with Alvin Otieno taking advantage to slam the ball over the line.

Whilst Kenya found themselves down a man when Bush Mwale was yellow carded, they held on to prevent several Australian attacks as they took a 5-0 lead into the break as Samu Kerevi seemed to limp off, with Sevens officials hopeful it was just a cork

Nathan Lawson would be issued a yellow after the break for a dangerous tackle, however the Aussies held strong down a man.

Corey Toole broke the game open minutes later to put the Australians in front.

With the clock running out, the Australians held strong as the Kenyans pushed for victory, eventually earning the turnover and the win

SEMI FINAL 1: Australia Women 19 v New Zealand Women 12

Australia has exacted revenge from Gold Coast, defeating New Zealand 19-12 to advance to the gold medal match.

Maddison Levi continued her strong tournament as she opened the scoring after a great break from Sharni Williams before tries to Portia Woodman and Theresa Fitzpatrick gave the Kiwis a 12-5 half-time lead.

Needing a spark, Levi kicked into gear as she powered her way over in the corner before combining with sister Teagan for the hat-trick to give the Aussies the lead.

The hat-trick hero received a yellow card with time well and truly up, setting up the grandstand finish before incredible defence from Faith Nathan and Madison Ashby forced the turnover and secured the win.

It sets up a blockbuster final with Fiji, the team who beat Australia earlier in the day, after they cruised past Canada 24-7

QUARTER FINAL 4: Australia 7 v Samoa 0

Australia have produced a gutsy performance to hold on for a 7-0 win over Samoa.

Matt Gonzalez's second half effort was enough to seal the win as defence dominated the contest.

Nathan Lawson looked certain to score in the fifth minute before a great cover tackle forced the mistake.

They were then reduced to six men after Corey Toole set up Gonzalez, holding out a valiant Samoa to secure their place in the final four.

They will take on South Africa in the semi-finals after they shutout Canada 33-0

SEMI FINAL: Australia 12 v South Africa 24

South Africa have eliminated the Australians as they cruised to a 24-12 victory.

The Aussies got off to a perfect start when Mark Nawaqanaitawase barged his way over the line before Matt Gonzalez struck to gave them a 12-7 lead.

However, a pair of penalties to Henry Hutchison saw the vice-captain yellow-carded, with Angelo Davids scoring to level the scores at the break.

A bold chip and chase from Corey Toole backfired as Selvyn Davids collected the loose ball and raced 60 metres to score.

The Blitzboks dominated the second half as Angelo Davids completed his hat-trick to seal the win.

Australia will play New Zealand for bronze after Fiji pulled off an extra-time victory in the final semi-final.

BRONZE MEDAL MATCH: Australia 12 v New Zealand 26

New Zealand have claimed the bronze medal with a 26-12 victory over Australia.

Leroy Carter started strong for the Kiwis as he latched onto the loose ball and raced away.

Josh Turner answered back for the Aussies but New Zealand controlled the contest as Moses Leo scored just before the break.

Leo and Carter added their doubles in the second half to put their result out of question despite a late aerobatic effort from Henry Paterson

GOLD MEDAL MATCH: Australia 22 v Fiji 14

Australia have claimed the gold medal with a 22-14 victory over Fiji.

The breakthrough gold medal came after a brutal first half, with the World Series champions stunning Fiji after their upset defeat 24 hours earlier.

A first-half double to Faith Nathan got the Australians off to the perfect start before Nathan turned provider to Madison Ashby as they took a 17-0 lead into the break.

Maddison Levi's 10th try of the tournament put the result out of doubt before two late Fiji tries made the scoreline closer than it was.

AUSTRALIA RUGBY SEVENS COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCHEDULE

AUSTRALIA'S MEN'S POOL D SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEST)

Friday 29 July

Australia 62 def Jamaica 0, 7:28 pm AEST 

Saturday 30 July

Australia 12 drew with Uganda 12, 4:20 am AEST

Australia 7 def Kenya 5, 7:50 pm AEST

Sunday 31 July

QUARTER FINAL: Australia 7 def Samoa 0 - 6:32 am AEST

SEMI FINAL: Australia 12 def by South Africa 24 - 10:04 pm

Monday 1 August

BRONZE MEDAL MATCH: Australia v New Zealand, 5:12 am

AUSTRALIA'S WOMEN'S POOL B SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEST)

Friday 29 July

Australia 38 def South Africa 0, 6:00 pm AEST 

Saturday 30 July

Australia 50 def Scotland 0, 2:52 am AEST

Australia 12 def by Fiji 19, 6:22 pm AEST

Sunday 31 July

SEMI FINAL: Australia 17 def New Zealand 12

Monday 1 August

GOLD MEDAL MATCH: Australia v Fiji, 5:38 am

HOW TO WATCH COMMONWEALTH GAMES RUGBY SEVENS IN AUSTRALIA?

The Seven Network has exclusive rights to broadcast every event of the Commonwealth Games in Australia. 

Events, including every game of the Rugby Sevens, will be shown on television across their three respective channels: 7, 7TWO, and 7mate. 

They will also be live streaming their televised events via 7+ which will have a dedicated Commonwealth Games channel that can be accessed online or via the app.

AUSTRALIA COMMONWEALTH GAMES SQUADS

WOMEN'S

  1. Lily Dick
  2. Sharni Williams
  3. Faith Nathan
  4. Dominique Du Toit
  5. Jesse Southwell
  6. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea
  7. Charlotte Caslick (co-c)
  8. Madison Ashby
  9. Tia Hinds
  10. Sariah Paki
  11. Demi Hayes (co-c)
  12. Maddison Levi
  13. Teagan Levi

MEN'S

  1. Henry Hutchison
  2. Samu Kerevi
  3. Corey Toole
  4. Dietrich Roache
  5. Ben Dowling
  6. Henry Paterson
  7. Josh Turner
  8. Matt Gonzalez
  9. Mark Nawaqanitawase
  10. Nick Malouf
  11. Maurice Longbottom
  12. Nathan Lawson
  13. Ben Marr

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