Photos: Mike Lee / KLC fotos for World Rugby
Since 2012, when the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series formed, the Dubai 7s trophy has alternated ownership between Australia and New Zealand. That pattern extended another season, as Australia defeated the USA 34-0 in the Cup final.
Australia has been the class of the tournament, displaying the skill, speed and confidence that ultimately drove six wins. The Aussies defeated England and Canada during day two knockouts, while the USA bested New Zealand and Russia. Australia took a 17-point lead in the first half as Player of the Final Emma Tonegato, Sharni Williams and Evania Pelite working the defense for tries in the first seven minutes. Emma Sykes added the conversion.
The deficit wasn’t an insurmountable one for the USA, which had shown earlier in the day that it could take down the best of teams. The Eagles were up for the challenge and the defense did well to press and forced dropped balls. There was a bit of scramble from Australia, but Charlotte Caslick moved the ball away to restart those field-stretching phases. The ball worked back to Emilee Cherry who scored Australia’s fourth try.
Player of the Final Emma Tonegato
The USA didn’t play with too much ball in hand and hurt itself with errors – not-straight lineout, misplayed restart – when the opportunities arose. Australia added two tries from reserve Dominique Du Toit, who scored from short range out wide and off a missed defensive assignment on the lineout. Sykes added her second conversion for the 34-0 win.
The USA starts the series with 18 standings points and more importantly good insight into a squad that averages 25 years old. The Eagles banked the type of experiences that a squad wants in a series opener: a disappointing loss, a final-play win, the blowout defeat followed by a redemptive underdog victory, and the game against the standard setter. The USA has a good map of what it needs to work before Sydney and, farther down the line, the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
USA @ DUBAI 7s
Pool Play
France 19-17 USA
USA 19-15 South Africa
New Zealand 45-14 USA
Cup QF: USA 14-12 New Zealand
Cup SF: USA 21-12 Russia
Final: Australia 34-0 USA