Big names storm to quarters in China 7s
All of the top seeds successfully qualifed for the quarter finals after the first day of the Women's Sevens World Series tournament in Guangzhou, China - despite continual heavy rain, thunder and lightning (which lead to 40-minute delay at one point) throughout almost the entire day.
Published by John Birch, March 30th, 2013
4 minute read
However - although the running track around the pitch looked more like a river - a superbly prepared playing surface ensured that conditions underfoot remained good, allowing for some exciting sevens rugby to be played.
In Pool ANew Zealandlooked in better form than ever, comfortably topping the pool keeping a clear sheet until the last minute of their final game when the Dutch finally broke through.
Netherlandstook the runners-up spot, but looked the least comfortable of all the top seeds in the conditions. Indeed they came within seconds of possible elimination, going into the final minute against Brazil 12-0 behind. Two van Harskamp tries resulted in a salvaged draw, and a route to the last eight - but only as 6th seed.
Brazil, on the other hand, were delighted, celebrating the draw as if it were a win, bringing as it does their first ever place in the quarter finals of an IRB event.
As was feared,Tunisiawere outclassed in their first major tournament outside Africa since qualifying for the World Cup.
In Pool B,Canadacontinued the superb form they had shown last weekend in Hong Kong to sweep to the top of what looked, on paper, the day's toughest pool. Ireland and Japan had no answer to them, and even Australia - in a repeat of the Hong Kong final - were never seriously in the hunt.
Australiastarted well against Japan, and also began well against Ireland - but Irish are learning all the time and turned the game on its head in the second period, camping out on the Australian line at the end and getting over the line for an equalising score in the final seconds only for the ball to be held up.
As a resultIrelandwent into their final game knowing they had to win by more than 10 points against Japan tomake the quarter-finals - and raced into a 12-0 lead. The Japanese had no answer to a team that is clearly getting better with every game, Alison Miller (right) scoring a hat-trick as the team transferred their Six Nations form and confidence to Sevens.
ForJapanit was a disappointing day, looking more off the pace than in previous tournaments.
Englandtook Pool C with a minimum of fuss. Ahead in their first game within seconds, they did not look back and rarely seemed troubled - though Fiji tookan early lead in their fixture before surcoming 24-10. Though not as spectacular as Canada or New Zealand, there always seemed a suspicon that an extra gear existed that could be called on if need be.
TheUSAtook runners-up spot, comfortably seeing off Fiji and then China, though having no real answer to England.
Chinatook third, but not with a performance good enough to make the top eight, whileFijidisplayed moments of sheer brilliance in conditions totally unsuitable to their style of play. Given more experience - and the sun on their backs - they could become a potent force.
Tomorrow New Zealand will face Ireland in the opening quarter final, kicking off at 10am local time (2am GMT, 3am CET). Australia will follow against the USA, beforeEngland play the Netherlands, and Brazil take on Canada.
In the Bowl semi-finals China will play Tunisia, while Fiji will face Japan.
Results:
Pool CEngland 24-5 ChinaUSA 15-0 FijiEngland 24-10 FijiUSA 21-12 ChinaEngland 19-0 USAChina 15-10 Fiji