Australia’s Women’s Sevens team have completed a clean sweep of Pool B at the 2024 Paris Olympic Sevens, defeating Ireland 19-14 to secure their quarter-finals berth.
With Charlotte Caslick rested and injuries striking the side, Australia turned to their depth to sure up this fixture – and it delivered a well-controlled win, with the World Series champions taking full advantage of the few chances on offer.
Australia came into the match after posting massive victories over South Africa and Great Britain, however, facing a well-disciplined Irish side that could hold onto possession, this clash was a much tighter affair.
Faith Nathan got the Aussies on the board inside 15 seconds thanks to a bit of individual brilliance, however, Australia would barely see the ball for the remainder of the first half, as Ireland mounted a spirited comeback.
After holding onto the ball for nearly four minutes only to knock it on over the line, the Irish would not be denied a second time as Eve Higgins scored the first of two tries with a minute to play in the half.
However, Australia would have the last laugh going into half-time, with a solid team effort culminating in Teagan Levi going over in the corner to see Australia lead 12-7 at halftime.
Her sister Maddison would score Australia’s third try shortly after the break and it looked like the Aussies would run away with yet another match – however Ireland went back to their original approach, and it worked a treat.
After attacking Australia for several phases, poor discipline resulted in Tia Hinds being sent to the bin, and Higgins crossed under the sticks with under a minute to go to set up a grandstand finish.
However, Australia regathered well off the kick-off and kicked the ball out, ending a nervous clash between the two sides.
The result sees the Aussies topping Pool B and qualifying for the quarter-finals, and bodes well with the likes of Caslick sitting on the sidelines for this afternoon’s finals clash – however, poor discipline proved a key factor in keeping Ireland in the match, and they’ll need to address that if they wish to repeat the heroics of 2016.
By comparison, Ireland finished the pool stage in third – however, given their strong performance, they could end up facing Australia for a second time today, as they are currently ahead as the best third-placed finisher of all the pools.
Pending other results, Australia will most likely face Ireland, with Canada set to clash with China to determine the runner-up of Pool A, and the loser of that match currently below eighth-placed Japan on competition points.
