Ferns qualify for Rio despite rare loss
It's been a sensational first day at the London Sevens. There's been some great rugby, but just one headline early on and then a second, with New Zealand losing their first game in 37 outings but later qualifying for the Olympics.
Published by John Birch, May 15th, 2015
4 minute read
Round 1ultimately went with form, though there were some scares on the way. France were unconvincing against Spain. Cautious, with three new players in the squad, they went behind to Spain before tries from Ladagnous and Biscarrat pulled the game round – but France will count themselves fortunate as Spain had several overlap opportunities that they failed to see or take.
Canada also took their game against Russia by the skin of their teeth. Baizat Khamidova had clearly been given instructions to eliminate the threat of Jen Kish, which she achieved as well as putting her team ahead. Titova extended the lead that left Russia 12-0 up at half-time. Brittany Benn pulled that back to 12-7 soon after the restart, but it wasn’t until near the end of the game that Canada’s continual pressure finally told with Bianca Farella scoring under the posts, Canada taking it 14-12.
Elsewhere Fiji had their moments before going down just 15-5 to Australia, and South Africa frustrated England at times before losing 28-7. Brazil, on the other hand, were outclassed by New Zealand 34-0 and the USA had few problems beating China 40-7.
Round 2, on the other hand, started with a sensation. When Shiray Tane scored twice early on for New Zealand it looked like the start of another – and 38th– regulation win for the Ferns, but Spain had other ideas. First Patricia Garcia pulled a try back, after some great work from Irene Schiavon. Then early in the second half, namesake Berta Garcia put her team ahead, 14-10. With time running out Katarina Simkins looked like she had pulled the game around but a poor Ferns restart game gave Spain the advantage, and from the long final play Patricia Garcia finally got over the line to give Spain a historic first win over the Ferns – and end New Zealand’s 37-match unbeaten run.
In other games Fiji gave the United States a scare, coming back from 19-0 down to level the game before a Griffin try gave USA a 24-19 win, and England saw off and strong Russian challenge 21-12 having been 7-7 at half time. In other games France swept past Brazil 31-5, Australia had no problems with a 31-0 win over China, and Canada blew South Africa away 45-0.
Round 3began with Spain doing enough to fight of a spirted Brazil effort and winning it 14-19 to reach their first Quarter Final of the season. New Zealand bounced back to defeat France very convincingly on a 24-0 scoreline with Sarah Goss and Portia Woodman again outstanding. With Kayla McAlister flying in to cover the injury to Lavinia Gould, they will be a much tougher prospect tomorrow. It was a much closer affair when Fiji beat China 14-12 with the Chinese missing a raft of major opportunities to win the game in the final minutes. One of the games of the day brought a draw for Australia and USA with Tiani Penitani surprisngly choosing to end the game by booting the ball out with her side in possession. Russia had no problem beating South Africa 40-17. Canada were sublime in the final game of the day racing into a 19-0 win with all the calls going their way but the brilliance of Karen Paquin in excellent form with some outstanding play. Their 31-0 win meant England's likely quarter final against USA is now New Zealand.
Group A
Group B
Group C