Photo: Lorne Collicut / World Rugby •
So many questions loomed as Team USA took the pitch for day two of the Olympics, but the Americans had a definitive answer: We’re not an also-ran. Australia needed all of regulation for the 12-12 final against the U.S., who take Pool A’s third seed to the Cup quarterfinals against New Zealand.
The tone was set early, as Katie Johnson planted Australian flyer Ellia Green into touch with a tackle that necessitated concussion protocol (Green did not return to the pitch). That physicality was mirrored in tight, as Jill Potter, Alev Kelter, Bui Baravilala, Johnson and later Ryan Carlyle pressure well and made their tackles. The Americans turned over multiple breakdowns in Australia’s end during the opening minutes, but on offense, the U.S. remained one finishing move away from a try.
After the Green hit, the U.S. took the lineout wide to Vix Folayan, who had a lane open up after Lauren Doyle did a good job of questioning the defense. Folayan stepped and shook her way out of tackles, and got to within meters of the tryline when she was brought down. Captain Kelly Griffin was right there for support, but Folayan fell awkwardly and couldn’t place the ball to the hooker, and a not-releasing penalty followed.
The U.S. stayed on attack after Potter stole a ruck, and Baravilala passed out of the tackle to Kelter through a gap. The scrumhalf was tackled within striking distance of the tryline but didn’t fully release the ball in her attempt to continue the drive.
The Americans were creating opportunities, but the Australian defense remained diligent and were eventually rewarded. Closer to midfield, a leading pass to Folayan fell forward and Emma Tonegato was there for the scoop and breakaway. Kelter had the youngster by the jersey as she dove into the corner, 5-0.
Australia regained possession after the restart, as Johnson, who took the ball well, attempted to pass out of congestion to Kelter, and a knock-on resulted. From the scrum, missed tackles saw Australia into the try zone, but a forward pass negated the effort. From the subsequent scrum and with little time on the clock, Baravilala punted the ball down-field, and Folayan gathered it on the run. She beat her opposite down the line, but Charlotte Caslick was on the hunt and made a fantastic try-saving tackle.
The U.S. ended the first half the way it began, with a defensive statement. From the final scrum, Carlyle tackled the ballcarrier into the try zone, and the teams returned to their benches.
Even though Australia had the lead, the momentum was the Americans’. The only difference thus far was Australia’s ability to take advantage of a gifted opportunity. Two minutes into the second half, Team USA did well to create its first try. Kelter got her hands on the ball in the tackle, and as it rolled away from the contact point, Johnson pounced and tossed it back toward her teammates. Baravilala moved it to replacement wing Jessica Javelet, who had the gas to finish the sideline break beneath the posts. Baravilala’s conversion placed Australia in its first deficit of the Olympics. Four minutes remained.
Australia was getting through the defense, but pressure saw some execution failures – forward pass, pass into touch – that nullified the damage. The Women’s Sevens Series champions were building out of their own end and connecting well, until Amy Turner attempted a longer, softer pass in traffic. The ball went right to Javelet, and she needed no help in returning the intercept for another five points, 12-5.
Australia found the try zone with no time remaining. Emilee Cherry broke two tackles as she tore toward the line, and Griffin trailed, guarding the inside lane in an attempt to prevent a centering. Javelet burst on and tackled Cherry before the line, while Griffin circled for the poach. The pick-up was knocked-on and Tonegato scooped up the ball for her second try. Chloe Dalton converted for the 12-all tie.
But the story was not Australia’s ability to rally from a deficit; it’s that Team USA is indeed a contender. The U.S. led in physicality and saw the rewards of a disruptive defense. The offense needs to trust its support a bit more, and those finishes in the try zone will come.
The U.S. moves to the Cup quarterfinals against New Zealand, a match that kicks off at 5:30 p.m. EST.
USA 12
Tries: Javelet 2
Cons: Baravilala
Australia 12
Tries: Tonegato 2
Cons: Dalton
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