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Australia Wins Dubai Women’s Title

Australia wins Dubai Women’s Title, Russia are a new force in Women’s Sevens, Kiwi Sevens Sisters win a Plate Final thriller, Fijiana are the darlings of day one, Japan wins the Bowl title and USA are disappointing.

Australia wins Dubai Women’s Title

The Australian Women’s Sevens team has won the Dubai leg of HSBC Women’s Sevens Series defeating a spirited Russian outfit 31-12.

The Sharni Williams led side took the earl lead through Am turner in the seventh minute through a try in the corner unconverted to lead 5-0. They followed that up with another unconverted try to Nicole Beck but Russia hit back just before halftime with a converted try to Mikhalatsova for the halftime score of 7-10.

The Russians scored early in the second half to lead 14-10 but Player of the final Ellia Green picked up the ball and took on the defence out wide to start the Australian comeback and the ultimate shutdown for the Russian team, quick tries to Emilee Cherry and Evania Pelite sealed the deal for the Aussies.

Even without injured stars in Tiana Penitani (knee), Brooke Walker (leg) and Mahalia Murphy (toe) the Australians were a cut above the rest from the get go but their medical room will make way for the incoming Chloe Dalton who has joined their long injury list with a broken arm.

“We go there with a belief we can perform and with the pre-season we have had we are confident we will perform. The results will then take care of themselves.” Tim Walsh speaking to the ARU website before the Dubai 7s

It  was like a scripted tournament for them as they cast aside all opposition, even in the quarter-finals when New Zealand raced away to a quick 12-0 lead, only for Fiji-born Ellia Green to run around Portia Woodman to beat them 15-12 in the end.

It was like the replay of last season Dubai Sevens final where the raced away 19-0 at halftime only for New Zealand to score 26 unanswered points to win.

In the semifinals the Aussies were way too strong for the French winning 26-0.

Russia new force in Women’s Sevens

After taking the defending HSBC Women’s Sevens Series New Zealand apart on Day One 33-7 the Russian women’s side has established themselves as the new force of women’s sevens and reaching the final is a milestone. They picked up  from where they left off at the end of last season where they also defeated the Kiwi side. They have speed, agility, power to compete at the breakdown and most of all cohesion and team work, all that you need in a sevens team. After this weekends performance we can say that the women’s game has really grown globally and will fight the usual  this season until they reach Rio in August for that Gold Medal.
Meanwhile, in the 3-4th play-off Heather Fischer scored a extra-time try for the English to beat the French 10-5 in a close encounter marred by the English mistakes at the breakdown.
Sevens Sisters win Plate thriller
A late Gayle Broughton tr in the corner was what the New Zealand Sevens Sisters needed to win the Plate final thriller against Canada.
The Canadian took the early lead with a unconverted try to Rusell, they found the Kiwis napping again and Paquin crossed over and the try was converted by Harvey, the Kiwis were able to score at the halftime hooter for a 12-5 lead to the Canadians. The Kiwis came out of the blocks in the second half and Niall Williaam delivered a SBW special for Tane to level the scores. New Zealand went ahead with a converted try to Whata but the Canadians drew level for a sudden death finish before Broughton stepped up to win the plate for the Kiwis.
The Kiwi Sisters look like a shadow side without Kayla McAlister and so were the Canadians without the inspirational Ghislaine Landry,
Both team recorded surprise loses this weekend to Fiji and Russia but they will rectify that in Sao Paolo.
Fijiana darlings of Day One
The Fijiana side opened the Women’s World Sevens Series with a bang taking two big scalps with them defeating the World ranked number two side Canada in the first game and the USA side in their second game. They displayed some entertaining rugby with great offloads and aggressive defence. They lost to France in the quarter finals and New Zealand in the Plate but they managed to get 7th place by defeating Spain 31-14 in the play-off.
Japan wins Bowl title
The Sakura sevens team fresh from their Asian Olympic Qualifier win last weekend won all their games on day two and defeated Brazil in the final 13-0 to win the Bowl title.
USA disappointing
The Jillion Porter led Women’s Eagles side was very disappointing, losing to Fiji and Ireland in the opening day and ended up at the 11th spot in the tournament. They were lost, with no team work and lacked fighting spirit in all their games.
The opening leg of the Women’s Sevens Series has given us a glimpse of what this season has to offer and you don’t wanna miss anything after the results and surprises this weekend.
Teams rank after Dubai:
12th – Ireland
11th – USA
10th – Brazil
9th – Japan
8th – Spain
7th – Fiji
6th – Canada
5th – New Zealand
4th – France
3rd – England
2nd – Russia
1st – AUSTRALIA

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