The Dublin Sevens kicked off in style at the UCD Bowl yesterday. With 16 nations competing for the last remaining spot to the 2016 Rio Olympics it was ‘all or nothing’. This Women’s Global Repechage had the crowd entertained from start to finish, with some of the best sevens rugby you will ever see.
Russia swept through their pool in commanding style, Spain and Ireland looking good to give them a run for their money. Kazakhstan came out firing to be the darlings of the tournament so far, with Samoa, China and Tunisia as underdogs. Never ignore the will of these athletes, who all have dreams of Gold!
World Rugby have presented these women with the opportunity to realize those dreams. The smiles on the competitors faces, completes that story.
Dublin Sevens: the LOWDOWN
Pool A (Russia, Samoa, Zimbabwe, Madagascar)
The Russians scored 164 unanswered points on Day One–incredible statistics. Not only did they maintain a cleansheet, they look poised and well prepared. This side appear sure to take the title and the final spot up for grabs here at the Dublin Sevens. They have the firepower in all positions, even without their kingpin Nadezda Kudinova [injured]. For mine, they still have the goods to deliver a a Cup victory.
Samoa looked good in their earlier games but the Russians taught them a harsh lesson in Game three. They learned what ‘the big stage’ is all about and must turnaround their chances against Kazakhstan. That Eastern-European team play the same type of game as the Russians do. The Manu Sina must ‘front up’ if they want to chase their dreams of Gold.
Zimbabwe and Madagascar have a long way to go to compete with the best. Madagascar won the battle between the two sides but like others, will have learned plenty.
Results: Samoa 57-5 Zimbabwe | Russia 58-0 Madagascar | Samoa 22-10 Madagascar | Russia 59-0 Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe 17-19 Madagascar | Russia 47-0 Samoa
Pool B (Spain, Tunisia, Venezuela, Mexico)
Patricia Garcia, Barbara Pla and Marina Bravo led the way for the Leonas and they look very good. Amassing over 100 points, Day Two will bring a showdown with Russia in the later stages–if they continue their form.
Tunisia joins them in the quarter finals and they were a real surprise package. Beating Venezuela and Mexico will give them great confidence for Sunday.
Results: Spain 38-0 Tunisia | Venezuela 5-5 Mexico | Mexico 0-22 Tunisia | Spain 45-0 Venezuela | Venezuela 10-17 Tunisia | Spain 38-0 Mexico
Hometown girls Ireland receive a standing ovation
Pool C (Ireland, China, Portugal, Trinidad & Tobago)
Ireland won three-from-three in front of their vocal home crowd. Captain Lucy Mulhall was happy about that support but knows the real work is on Day Two. That is when they face the likes of Russia and Spain–the real test begins Sunday.
Skipper Lucy Mulhall is pleased with Ireland’s progress but knows the big challenges await tomorrow #roadtorio pic.twitter.com/71lGoBDJUw
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 25, 2016
Ben Gollings is happy with his girls from China, and they will try to beat the odds on Day Two.
???@bengollings10, head coach of China, has taken his side to two wins from two in Dublin #roadtorio pic.twitter.com/YdwcV61Ukg
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 25, 2016
Results: China 21-5 Portugal | Ireland 51-0 T&T | China 34-5 T&T | Ireland 24-12 Portugal | Portugal 42-0 T&T | Ireland 12-0 China
Pool D (Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Cook Islands)
Kazakhstan (KZT) took out Pool D in style with some scintillating play. Displaying the kind of rugby that the Russian girls always bring to the Women’s Sevens Series, using power and precision. Well executed set pieces today knock other teams off their game.
On the other hand, Hong Kong were very disappointing not to qualify after a good build-up. They couldn’t find the right rhythm here in Dublin which will leave coach Anna Richards fuming. The Cook Islands (Cooks) were so unlucky, just losing with close margins and a draw with Hong Kong. They will learn from this and fight on no doubt.
Results: KZT 36-5 Argentina | Hong Kong 12-12 Cooks | Argentina 17-12 Cooks | Hong Kong 12-21 KZT | KZT 12-5 Cooks | Hong Kong 15-17 Argentina
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Top 8 to ‘Fight It Out’ on Day Two
Russia vs Argentina
Ireland vs Tunisia
Kazakhstan vs Samoa
Spain vs China
Mañana jugamos vs China 4os de final del #PreOlimpico a las 13.34 h ??Gracias por apoyarnos!??? @ferugby @COE_es pic.twitter.com/4szV2EKvzW
— Marina Bravo Bragado (@MarinaBraBra) June 25, 2016
The toughest quarter final will be between Samoa and Kazakhstan, but the Manu Sina side will be carrying the hopes of their nation. They will be giving their all, especially the Collins sisters and speedy Seni Mose.
Championship Trophy Quarterfinals
Madagascar vs Cook Islands
Portugal vs Mexico
Hong Kong vs Zimbabwe
Venezuela vs Trinidad and Tobago
There is all to play for on Day Two, with the likely semi final between Russia and Ireland will be a mouth watering encounter. The hometown Irish have the crowd behind them, and the other likely semi between Spain and Kazakhstan should be epic too. Saying that, don’t count out the Samoan’s and Chinese teams.
Like we witnessed last weekend with the Men’s repechage, ‘anything can happen’. Spain claimed the tournament win and a trip to Rio. Who knows–Kazakhstan might surprise us all.
Follow all the ‘Lowdown’ of the Dublin Sevens here on Last Word on Sports.
- Main photo credit: image courtesy of the Russian Rugby ‘Bears’ twitter page.
