Australia have taken bronze at the Dubai Sevens in a dramatic 26-21 victory against the United States.
It was an important medal for the Aussies with this World Series acting as qualification for the 2020 Olympics.
“I’m incredibly proud of the way the team performed today; a very young squad found a way to win and got better throughout the entire tournament," Coach John Manenti said.
“We now go to our home tournament in Sydney with some players to return and a squad pushing for positions,” he said.
Having sneaked into the quarterfinals after two losses and a win in their pool match, Australia once again came up against England.
England opened the scoring before Charlotte Caslick hit back almost immediately under the post. From there, Australia was able to score two tries in quick succession to create a 10 point gap.
RE:LIVE: Everything about this try is excellent. @Aussie7s score an absolute cracker from the restart at the #Dubai7s #DHLRugby @DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/w5d7oVk94u
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) November 30, 2018
In the second half, Australia was being put under constant pressure from England but the Aussie wouldn't break and instead scored to extend their lead.
Evania Pelite scored her third try of the match as Australia and sent England bundling out despite scoring a late try.
Having defeated England 27-12, it was time to face Canada in the semi-finals. Both sides opened their scoring account in the opening minute but it was Canada who backed it up with their second try in two minutes as they took a 5-10 lead.
Australia fought hard defensively but couldn’t regain enough territory to cross the line before the break. After the interval, Dom Du Toit leveled the scores and while Australia desperately tried to find a break to take the win, it was heartbreak as Canada scored in the last minute to make the final.
Ghislaine Landry with incredible vision and pace for @RugbyCanada #Dubai7s pic.twitter.com/NTPNFGSNii
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) November 30, 2018
Australia was set to face the USA in the bronze medal match, a team they had lost to in their pool match.
The USA was quick from kick-off, scoring quickly to take the lead before Sharni Williams smashed through several tackles that set up Evania Pelite for a try. It was going try for try until the final minutes of the game but the USA were reduced to six players, which would come back to haunt them.
Debutant Lily Dick spotted space and changed her angle of attack perfectly to score and given Australia the victory.
THRILLER! Incredible finish from @aussie7s who win the Bronze medal at the #Dubai7s, with a stoppage time winner from Lily Dick!
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) November 30, 2018
Final score: AUS 26-21 USA
Remember all points count towards the series and top four automatically qualify for the Olympics! pic.twitter.com/AI81CLvD1I
Australia now sits fourth on the World Series ladder with New Zealand, Canada and USA ahead of them.
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