The Australian Women’s Sevens program has claimed the 2021-22 HSBC Sevens World Series crown in Langford, defeating New Zealand in the final. Australia had an 18-point lead on the World Series ladder with an additional point differential of 20-points from winning the cup final making them unable to be beaten as the Series enters its final leg on May 20 in France. The Women’s program again excelled on the World Series, completing day one undefeated, taking down Mexico, Spain with ease before rising to the challenge of Canada, defeating them to top pool A.
Day two saw the Aussies again take on Spain in the Cup Quarter Final, defeating them 55-0 before they claimed another victory over the eventual bronze medallists, Ireland 26 to 5. Australia would face New Zealand in the cup final, with Lily Dick stealing almost certain victory from New Zealand following a nail-biting final in Langford, capping off a highly successful weekend for the Aussie Women.
Speaking after the Langford final on broadcast, Women’s co-captain Charlotte Caslick said: “It’s amazing to have New Zealand back on the Series; we’ve been looking forward to playing them for such a long time. “It was an incredible effort from our girls; we started the game well and obviously continued that through to the finish, which I’m incredibly proud of. “It would have been bittersweet if we came away with the World Series but not a tournament win, so we’ll definitely take time to celebrate that result with the team tonight. Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said: “"It has been so good to have NZ back on the circuit. We both love the competitive encounters and the challenges we impose on each other. "The energy at the warm-ups was infectious (we warm up pretty much next to each other), almost like a competition as to who was having more fun. "To win the World Series is a remarkable and memorable experience for all involved, and to do it with an exceptional win showing resilience and character multiplies the emotions. There were many moments in the tournament that we will now be able to draw upon in the future. We had team members at all levels developing themselves to be better for the team. We will acknowledge the wins we had today in an appropriate manner but know that this is just one objective for our 2022 season,” Walsh said.
In style, the Australian Women's Sevens have kicked off in Langford, defeating Mexico with an emphatic 58-0 win over Mexico.
The Australians struck hard early with an open try to Demi Hayes before the Aussies piled on the pressure. Subsequent tries to Faith Nathan, a second to Hayes, Charlotte Caslick and Sariah Paki saw the Australian's head into the break ahead 28-0.
The tone of the second half was no different, with an additional seven tries to the women in gold, most notably tournament debutant Jesse Southwell crossing for a try of her own. Australia rounded out the match with a convincing 58 - nil lead and will next face Spain in their second pool A clash.
The Aussie Women have continued their winning pool form, defeating Spain 24 to 7. Maddison Levi opened the scoring for the Australians crossing twice in the first half to keep the Spanish scoreless at the break.
Charlotte Caslick opened the second half for Australia in style, crossing under the posts moments after kick-off. A back and forth ensued between the two sides, however, Caslick again found the sticks to extend Australia's lead. However, Spain would have the final say, crossing on full time to round out the match 24-7.
Australia will conclude their pool phase later today when they take on tournament hosts Canada at 11:05am AEST
The Aussie Women have continued their unbeaten run in the pool stages, taking down tournament hosts Canada.
It was a slow start for the Australians before Faith Nathan broke the Canadian defence allowing Caslick to cross for the opening try. The flood gates opened in the second half with Demi Hayes next to cross before Maddison Levi crossed for a double to further extend the lead.
Canada finally found the line during the game's final stages despite an epic chase from Sharni Williams, seeing the game finish out at 28 to 7.
Australia will next play Span in the Cup Semi Final at 4:06am on Monday 2 May.
Australia has again clocked up over fifty points, leaving Spain scoreless in the cup quarter-final, advancing with a 55-0 win.
Maddison Levi opened the scoring for the Australians which started the floodgates as Faith Nathan crossed with a double before Sharni Williams found the chalk for the Aussies to lead 22-0 at the break.
Williams again crossed during the second stanza to keep Australia's momentum before Charlotte Caslick and Dom Du Toit crossed in quick succession to further extend the lead. Sariah Paki would have the final say for the Australian's crossing on the stroke of full time, leaving the final score 55-0.
Australia 26 defeated Ireland 5
It went all Australia's way in the Cup Semi-Final at Langford at the Aussie 7s charged out of the gate scoring two tries in the first three minutes with Charlotte Caslick and Faith Nathan remaining true to form for the Australians.
Nathan followed up quickly, doubling her try total and taking the women in gold to a 19-0 lead at the break.
The second half was full of drama as Ireland hit back quickly through Vicki Elmes Kinlan, scoring the first of the half. However, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea showed her defensive skills, stopping a near-certain try that would have brought Ireland back into the game. An easy end-to-end try followed this to securing Australia's place in the finals against the Black Ferns.
Australia 21 defeated New Zealand 17
Lily Dick has snatched victory from New Zealand, scoring the match-winning try in Australia's Cup Final in Langford.
A kick, deep field saw Charlottle Caslick regain possession for the Aussies. A tough back and forth commenced between the two sides, with Maddison Levi remaining true to form and crossing first for the Australians. New Zealand was next to cross with two subsequent tries seeing them ahead 7-10 at the break.
Click continued to excel, crossing first in the second half, regaining the lead for the Australians before New Zealand again found the chalk to take the lead. As the clock wound down, victory seemed inevitable for the reigning Olympic Gold Medallists, however, the Aussie remained in the fight, with Lily Dick crossing to steal the win.
