England won the Langford Sevens tournament in Canada and ended Australia’s recent dominance in a semi final defeat, as they claim their first title in three years when beating the New Zealand Sisters 31-14, in an emphatic final completely dominated by the English Roses.
Round four of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series was a successful tournament for the underdogs, as England and Spain spoiled the party for some of the big teams; namely the Aussie Pearls and US Eagles. With the game evolving to greater heights, it was good to see the level of competition these ladies displayed over the last two weekends, the only back-to-back tournaments in the World Rugby series.
As the Roses won in Langford, the Aussies had to settle for the bronze, host Canada walked away with the Plate silverware, Fijiana won the bowl as English woman Heather Fisher won the ‘Player of the Final’ and Portia Woodman walking away as the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the round.
Langford Sevens: The LOWDOWN
England end Aussie dominance
The Kiwis Sisters started well with captain fantastic Sarah Goss crossing over out wide, brilliantly converted from the touchline by Selica Winiata for a 7-0 lead. This was a pressure game and straight from the restart, Alice Richardson won a turnover and Heather Fischer ran 60 meters downtown to level the scores.
In a tit-for-tat scoring display, Portia Woodman ran the length off the field herself to take the Kiwis back to the lead 14-7. Great sevens rugby, as England again won the restart and from a good off load from captain Emily Scarratt and a big-step from Richardson to level the scores again. The excitement levels were rising, and with a minute to go Heather Fischer brushed off Woodman’s attempted tackle for her second try, although Katy McLean missed from the sideline for a 19-14 lead to the Roses at halftime.
Starting the way they finished before the break, Richardson went in for her second try and this time McLean converted from the touchline for a confidence building 26-14 lead. A great finalwas being played out and Joanne Watmore put it out of the reach of the Kiwi’s, with good build earlier from a tight-head scrum, the Roses soon won a turnover ball and Watmore scored again to finish it off 31-14 to the English.
Emily Scarratt ended the match in kicking the ball out to the crowd to signal a jubilant victory by the English Roses. A superb accomplishment, and it was a longtime coming too.
Aussie Pearls settle for third spot
The French went in first through Camille Grassineau but the Aussie girls replied though Mahalia Murphy by the halftime hooter to bring the scores 7-5 for the Pearls at the breather. Very dominant in the contact area, the French team were fierce over the ball with Grassineau winning another turnover. Jessy Tremouliere ran the tramlines to level the scores 12 all but Amy Turner backed her speed to have the final say, scoring a great try to win 19-12.
The French girls took the Kiwis into extra-time in the Cup semi finals, only to falter in at the last but as Fanny Horta has said, they are ‘progressing well’ and will be very competitive at home against the big guns, when they host the season finale in Clermont-Ferrand on 28-29 May.
The dominant Aussies were shocked by the fast-finishing English women who dethroned the three-time tournament winners this season. The English played with control in their semi winning 15-5 by completely outwitting the young Aussie Pearls. A timely reminder that form is fleeting, but the youngsters have relished the challenge this season and many have come to life, so watch more of these youngsters shine even brighter next season..
Canada claim Plate at home
The Canadian girls bounced back from their two point loss to the French 12-14 in the quarter final to win the plate in comfortable fashion 21-5 over the Leonas, who themselves had a fantastic tournament. Jen Kish led by example (as usual) and guided her side to the victory shutting out the resilient Spanish women who were pushing hard for maximum points to keep retain core status.
It was hard to not to qualify for the main Cup final at home, but to bounce back strongly and claim the Plate will bring relief to John Tait and his Maple Leafs side.
USA wins 7th place in extra-time
Joanne Fa’avesi scored in extra-time after a nice hand off, to claim 7th place for the US women. A good return, especially the win over their Cold War rivals Russia. This game seemed destined for the Russians to win but for a late try from Kirsten Thomas that brought the teams level before Fa’avesi scored in extra time.
The Americans had had a shocker in pool play, when they lost to Spain 7-10 and again today, they lost in the plate semis to that same Spanish outfit 14-12. On average, the Spanish side have many senior players in their team, several over 30 but they still did wonders against a young and feisty American side on both days.
The Russians didn’t score a single point in their earlier games on day two, losing to the Kiwis 43-0 then again the host side that walloped them 27-0, but impressively they turned up the heat early against the Eagles ladies, but just not enough to win.
Fijiana win Bowl Final
Rusila Nagasau inspired Fiji to a 24-7 victory over Brazil, in winning the Bowl final of the Langford Sevens. The team, playing without stalwarts Lavenia Tinai and Asinate Savu found their rhythm on the last day to beat Japan in the semi finals 33-10, before dispatching the Olympic hosts.
Nagasau was all over the Brazilians with some telling tackles and crucial turnovers that kept their younger and smaller opponents at bay, but it was their indecision that stopped the women from scoring higher then they did, as Fijiana dominated in all facets of play.
It was a good tournament overall for this side, compared to their lackluster performance in Atlanta a week earlier where they didn’t score a point on Day two. This weekend was great opportunity too for coaches Chris Cracknell and Iliesa Tanivula to gauge players; especially the youngsters, on who will make that trip to Rio in August.
The senior players in Ana Maria Roqica, Litia Naiqato and Rusila Nagasau all stood out, though Talica Vodo will have to work on her fitness more to cement her place to the Olympics, so there is work to do in between tournaments.
Brazil has really performed well this weekend, even beating the feisty Irish team and they need all the exposure they can get now, for a good outing at their home turf come August.
Ireland claim 11th place
The Irish ladies came from behind to win over Japan 12-5 and claim valuable points in Langford. It was a very educational weekend for both sides, as they both build combinations to finish as high as possible by the last round in Clermont-Ferrand.
The Japanese are building up for Rio; being the Asian qualifier while the Irish still have to qualify themselves when the repercharge tournament takes place in their home capital, Dublin. All the game time they have now until then is used to iron-out those basic errors and build strong combinations that will give the ‘giants of the game’ a run for their money.
HSBC PLAYER OF THE FINAL
Heather Fisher (ENG) You can’t mistake her, as she has the funkiest hairdo in the competition. Her bald-head can’t be ignored but her work-rate and shear speed was second-to-none in that final. Brilliant tackler, roaming to snuff-out opposition attack and then link with others in counter-attack.
HSBC PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
Portia Woodman (NZL) The superstar winger displayed this weekend why she is one of the very best, and is regaining her form at the right time as they head to the final leg in France before focusing on Rio.
Women’s World Sevens Series Table:
- Australia – 76 points
- New Zealand – 64
- England – 60
- Canada – 54
- France – 48
- Russia – 38
- USA – 36
- Fiji – 28
- Spain – 20
- Brazil – 12
- Japan – 11
- Ireland – 8
- Colombia – 1
With round four wrapping up in style, and with a new tournament winner, the Aussies lead by 12 points in the series over second placed New Zealand. The English trail the Kiwis by just four points and the Canadians are not so far behind, as Fiji and Spain battle for the all important eighth spot–Fiji sits only eight points ahead; within striking distance, as they head to the season finale in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Last Word On Sports ‘Rugby South’ editor Scott Hornell believes there is still hope for every side, no-one can be totally secure but it would take a catastrophe for Australia to give up so many points to New Zealand. “If anyone can win, it is the Sevens Sisters but the Aussie’s just won’t finish anywhere lower than 7th [you would imagine]”
Competition is hot, with the chasing packs all on the tale of the leading Australian side as they soon aim toward Rio. This finale in France is promising to be a real thriller and if you love rugby sevens, don’t miss a minute of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series this in May.
Follow all ‘The Lowdown’ of the France Sevens here, on Last Word On Sports.
“Main photo credit”
