The Australian Women Sevens Rugby team have advanced to the semi-finals stage of the Rio 2016 Olympics. There they will face the incredibly tough tasking of defeating a dangerous Canadian side. Australia are bidding to add Olympic Gold to their trophy cabinet alongside this year’s World Sevens Series title.
Australian Women Sevens Face Canada in Semis
Aussie Women on Form
To reach this stage of the competition undefeated highlights just how impressive this Australian side have been. A draw with the United States in their final pool match is the only time that they have conceded points at the Olympics. That 12-12 draw may well be the wake up call that shows the Aussies that they cannot simply coast through this tournament. To fight back to claim the draw, however, showed the spirit within the side. Reaffirming their credentials for Gold was the task in the quarter finals and they did so with an emphatic victory over Spain by 24 points to nil.
Canada, the toughest task yet?
With all due credit to the sides that Australia have faced so far at the Olympics, they would have expected to reach this stage will little difficulty. By easing through the pools despite the shock draw with the US, the Australia Women Sevens team have faced a relatively easy route to the semi-finals. Canada in contrast have fought their way through a tough loss in the pool stages to Great Britain. As well as a bruising encounter with France in the quarter finals. In particular it will be that victory in the quarters that gives Canada hope as they will head into this fixture battle hardened and prepared to tough it out.
Caslick leading the way to Gold
Throughout the opening matches it is Charlotte Caslick who has shined brightest in the Australian Women Sevens team. Her form has earned her a place in the World Rugby Sevens Day Two Rio Dream Team. She is the only Australian to make the Dream Team and her place there is well deserved as she has led continually from the front. With two tries in the quarter final win over Spain she showed her finishing ability to go along with her high quality distribution from the ruck.
?Day two’s dream team….well played ladies #Rugby7s #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/hv56TJleVq
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) 7 August 2016
New Zealand or Great Britain await
Should Australia overcome Canada in the semi-finals they will be rewarded with Gold medal match against one of two old foes. New Zealand and Great Britain have both won every match so far at the Rio Olympics. This will be a fantastic match up. More on this match from LWOS New Zealand correspondent Mike Pulman with his take on that semi final.
Australia are the top ranked Women’s side at the Olympics and headed into the competition as heavy favourites. They will remain so at the semi-final stage but they must be wary of complacency if they are to claim Gold.
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