Russia held a 10-0 lead into the final minute of play. /// Photo: Michael Lee – Taiwan Mike Photography – KLC fotos for World Rugby •
The USA Women’s 7s team defeated Russia 12-10 to kick off the Dubai 7s, the first stop on the 2016-17 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series. The victory needed all 14 minutes to evolve, as the Americans overcame a 10-point deficit that held until the final minute of play.
The first half was played almost entirely in the Eagles’ end, and the U.S. had the majority of possession. Turnovers came in the form of not-releasing penalties – Cheta Emba’s kickoff receipt, Nicole Heavirland’s break through the middle – insinuating slow support but also Russia’s good defensive work. After one such occasion, Russian captain Nadezda Kudinova tapped through the mark and passed to Marina Petrova, who took on Kate Zackary at full pace and split the defense for the try, 5-0, with approximately three minutes remaining in the half.
After another not-releasing penalty on the wing, Russia used the favorable territory to attack quickly. Captain Kudinova passed to Kristina Seredina back inside, and the short-range try gave Russia a 10-0 lead into the break.
The second-half restart didn’t go 10, and so Russia resumed its attack from the 50. After the subsequent series, Kudinova was carried off the pitch with a lower-extremity injury. She’s the set-up woman and the veteran for Russia.
The teams spend the next few minutes exchanging possession through small errors – knock-ons, intercepts, leaving feet in ruck – but play moved into Russia’s end. Joanne Fa’avesi came off the bench to replace Zackary, and she made an immediate impact, literally. The hard-carrying forward required more attention from the Russian defense, and the Olympian nearly put Kelter away for a try but the handoff was deemed just forward. The duo would be important in the final play of the game.
There was less than a minute remaining, and the result looked bleak, but then the USA stole a scrum deep in its end, moved the ball wide to wing Bulou Mataitoga. USA captain Lauren Doyle was in support and cut back inside for an uncontested lane to the try zone. Kelter converted, 10-7.
The scrumhalf raced back to midfield to get the restart off and sent a beauty into the air. It gave reserve Kayla Canett and Emba an opportunity to fight for the ball, and the U.S. came up with possession. Fa’avesi broke away from the congestion and found an on-rushing Emba through traffic. The forward was tackled at the try line but rolled over to dot the ball down, 12-10.
Plenty of drama for the USA to begin the 2016-17 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series. With several new faces, the Eagles are still getting used to each other in the international arena, but the team will need to tidy up its penalty count during the follow-up against South Africa (4:24 a.m. Pacific) to get more time gelling with ball in hand.
USA 12
Tries: Doyle, Emba
Cons: Kelter
Russia 10
Tries: Petrova, Seredina