Carlyle scores. /// Michael Lee – Taiwan Mike Photography – KLC fotos for World Rugby •
The USA Women’s 7s team ended day one of the Dubai 7s with a 19-10 loss to Australia, finishing pool play 1-2 and fourth overall in the group. The Americans have missed out on the Cup quarterfinals and will compete in the Challenge (aka, ninth place) bracket.
Emilee Cherry returned the opening kickoff for her 84th try for Australia, rushing past the U.S. defenders going for the short ball. But it wasn’t long before the Americans evened up, as an Australian penalty in the breakdown – along with two injuries on the pitch – gave the U.S. advantage. Bulou Mataitoga smartly quick-tapped through the mark and switched with Ryan Carlyle, who tore through the middle of the pitch. A stellar cover tackle brought the hooker down within meters of the try line, but a few phases later, Carlyle dove over for the score, 5-5.
After a long break in play due to an injury, the USA’s restart didn’t go 10 meters, and Australia resumed its attack. A handling error temporarily got the U.S. out of danger, but then a monster hit at the breakdown from Shannon Parry but Australia back in control. Play built toward the try line in quick phases, and Emma Sykes finished the series with a dummy-pass into the try zone and converted her score, 12-5.
Captain Lauren Doyle single-handedly put the Eagles in striking distance of the lead, simply taking the short side off the ruck – which was guarded – and rounding the corner around her defender. She outpaced two pursuers for the try, and Alev Kelter added the conversion for the 12-10 scoreline at the break.
The U.S. held onto the ball during the opening minutes of the second half, but an oppressive Australian defense eventually forced the Americans into their own try zone – twice. Good pressure from scrumhalf Kelter meant both five-meter scrums did not come off smoothly for the Australians, and Olympian eventually kicked a penalty to touch for some breathing room.
Still deep in its end, the U.S. grubbered into touch – one of several ineffective kicks throughout day one – and Australia attempted to go quick. Reserve Kayla Canett anticipated the pass, picked it off, and would have been gone for a try if it hadn’t been just-touched by Doyle for the knock-on.
Instead, an Australian scrum followed and moved eventually moved to Mahalia Murphy out wide, who stepped past Kate Zackary for the try. Chloe Dalton made a nice conversion from a difficult angle for the 19-10 win.
The USA will play Ireland in the Challenge semifinals (Friday, 12:14 a.m. Pacific), while Spain and Brazil battle on the other side of the bracket.
Australia 19
Tries: Cherry, Sykes, Murphy
Cons: Sykes, Dalton
USA 12
Tries: Carlyle, Doyle
Cons: Kelter