The USA ended its Sydney 7s campaign with a 19-15 loss to Russia to finish 1-3 and 8th overall. The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is dormant until Hong Kong in early April.
Russia scored approximately one minute into the match, as an open-field fend set up a gap for Daria Noritsina to exploit. The flyer scored all three of Russia’s tries and showcased a nice turn of pace en route to the first one. Kristina Seredina converted for the 7-0 lead.
The USA answered back, getting good go-forward through Alev Kelter on the under line and then Cheta Emba out wide. Iana Danilova was solid on defense and caught up to Emba, but a Russian offsides penalty in its 22 followed shortly afterward. Abby Gustaitis went quick from the mark, hit Lauren Doyle, who sent a basketball pass to Emba for the try, 7-5.
A USA knock-on set up a Russian scrum, and Nicole Heavirland was penalized for being offsides. Russia went quickly and Heavirland tackled the ballcarrier inside the 10-meter cushion, earning a yellow card. Nevertheless, the USA was able to score with a player down. Kelter, in a trademark move, got over a Russian tackle to draw a not-releasing penalty, and Doyle and Emba combined to get the game in Russia’s end. Eagle support was slow and resulted in a turnover, but Russia coughed up possession with a knock-on shortly afterward.
After a couple of phases, Emba spied an opportunity on the weakside of the ruck and picked for the go-ahead try, 10-7 into the break.
The second half didn’t start well for the USA, as the restart hit the ground between two potential receivers, and Russia kept the pressure on with a fast-up defense. The Eagles were backed up on their try line and Heavirland attempted to avoid contact with a quick pass to Eti Haungatau in front of the posts. Noritsina was ready for it, collided with Haungatau, and the ball tricked into the try zone for the easy dot-down. The conversion was good for 14-10 lead.
With two-and-a-half minutes to play, Russia increased its lead to 19-10, and that try ended up being the difference. The USA had possession but it was messy, and the ball skirted out of a ruck for Russia to pick up. The ball moved to Noritsina, who pushed off the defense for her third try.
It looked like Russia was on its way to a fourth try, when another collision at the point of the catch dislodged the ball from Joanna Fa’avesi’s grasp. The ball moved to Baizat Khamidova, who sped down the sideline, but did not evade Ilona Maher. Khamidova slid into the touch, but the ball did not, so Khamidova popped up for the pickup. Thhe veteran’s foot, however, was on the line in the process.
From the subsequent lineout, the ball moved wide to Kirshe, who busted through two tackles for the try. There was a second on the clock when Kirshe grounded the ball, so there was time for one more restart. As such, the Eagles didn’t attempt the conversion but the points didn’t matter. The restart was deep enough for Russia to retain the ball and kick to touch: 19-15 to Russia.