The Clermont-Ferrand Sevens kicked off in style at the Stade Gabriel Montepid as the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series comes to it’s climax with the Australians in line for their historic victory. Emma Tonegato crossed over for her 50th series try, as New Zealand notched up their 500th team try–with 100 of them in fact belonging to speedster Portia Woodman alone!
England continued their good form from the Langford Sevens, the Kiwi girls look good to [possibly] spoil Aussie sides double celebration while Fijiana upset France and the Japanese team bid farewell to series. All the action was played on a backdrop of the picturesque Stade Gabriel Montepid field.
Clermont Sevens: Day One: the LOWDOWN
Pool A (England, Spain, USA, Kenya)
The English Roses continued their form which won them the recent Canadian tournament title, as they cruised past their pool opponents to become the favorites on day two. ‘Captain fantastic’ Emily Scarratt again leading by example, along with Heather Fisher and Amy Wilson-Hardy.
Berta Garcia and her Los Leonas team are fine-tuning their preparations, as they head to that repechage qualifier in Dublin and they will feature in the Cup quarter finals [that is two successive tournaments in a row] as they are finally finding that right combination to win games by humbling the Americans (US) 12-10 in the process.
The US Eagles will be grateful if they can fill in a fully fit team to Rio, as injuries have dampened their campaign this season and a change in leadership in this crucial year has not helped either. They need their senior players back for Rio, as Lilly Durbin and Kathryn Johnson have displayed today that the future of American Women’s rugby sevens looks bright.
Kenya will be thanking their stars that they had a chance to rub shoulders with the best before Rio, as they have learned well today that they are far behind the elite teams in the competition.
Results: England 26-7 USA | Spain 37-5 Kenya | England 22-0 Kenya | Spain 12-10 USA | England 26-7 Spain | USA 31-0 Kenya
Pool B (New Zealand, Canada, Russia, Japan)
The Kiwi Sevens Sisters won their pool in convincing style, despite the Canadians pushing them to the very end with a tight 19-17 result. Kayla McAlister and Huriana Manuel displayed their capabilities, attacking with ease as they freed Portia Woodman to do what she does best. The whole side contributed to set-up New Zealand (NZL) for a good finish on finals day.
The Canadians have dug deep in all their games, with Magali Harvey and Kelly Rusell again instrumental. The Russians however, struggled without their senior players, especially game-breaker Nadezda Kudinova, as the Japanese all but confirmed that this will be their last tournament as a core team. They put up a fight against Russia, but in the end it was clear they could not meet the grade.
Results: NZL 32-0 Russia | Canada 21-15 Japan | NZL 40-0 Japan | Canada 29-12 Russia | NZL 19-17 Canada | Russia 19-17 Japan
Pool C (Australia, France, Fiji, Ireland)
Australia (AUS) is on course for their historic maiden World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series title crown, as they won their pool in style to set up a Cup quarter final showdown with the Los Leonas. That side will need to be firing all cylinders because the Aussie Pearls are one team that won’t back down from a challenge.
It was a special weekend for Emma Tonegato, as she crossed over for her 50th World series try against Fiji and with her deputizing the wing spot with Elia Green, that has paid dividends as the Pearls continue to pile on triesin this series.
Fijiana shocked hosts France in their pool 14-10 and hung on until the dying seconds to beat Ireland, with a brilliant solo effort from Luisa Tisolo as the Irish tried to exploit the lack of depth in the Fiji squad, when players began to miss crucial tackles, nearly letting the Irish stay in the game. Fiji, missing the likes of Lavenia Tinai, Tima Ravisa, Litia Naiqato and Asinate Savu put in a gallant effort on day one and will try to build on that on finals day, where they meet Canada in the cup quarters.
Debutant Ebony Satala had a dream-debut, fitting in well with the girls but on the last game against Ireland, she missed crucial tackles; along with Rebecca Tavo, as fatigued crept in. Dopping ball on two occasions with space in front of her, concentration will be a skill she must learn to free players on the flanks.
Les Bleus underestimated Fijiana strength on Day One, and they will face the Kiwis on Sunday. They must now try to win the battle with their old XV’s foes at home, while Ireland go down to the Bowl to meet fellow side Russia, who will still have a chance if they finish in the top two in Dublin, at the World Rugby Olympic Games qualifiers in June.
Results: Aus 34-0 Fiji | France 40-0 Ireland | Aus 40-5 Ireland | France 10-14 Fiji | Aus 19-12 France | Fiji 19-14 Ireland
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Bowl Semi Finals:
- Russia vs Kenya
- Japan vs Ireland
Cup Quarter Finals:
- England vs USA
- New Zealand vs France
- Australia vs Spain
- Canada vs Fiji
Still ‘all to play for’ on Day two at the Clermont-Ferrand Sevens as the teams final table standings will determine how they are pooled in Rio in August. The contenders, the English and Kiwi girls will try to spoil the Aussies double celebration, as they attempt to claim a fourth tournament win and the series title of 2015/2016.
Les Australiennes finissent avec 3 victoires ! Bravo à elles ?? #clermont7s pic.twitter.com/ft2igkSgE8
— Clermont7s (@clermont7s) May 28, 2016
Follow all ‘the Lowdown’ of the Clermont-Ferrand Sevens Day Two here on Last Word on Sports.
“Main photo credit”
