Mixed bag for Australia U18 sides
NEWS: Australia’s Under 18 Boys were crowned champions of the Global Youth Sevens in Auckland on Sunday, winning their first title since 2016.
The Aussies took down the New Edition side 31-7 in the Final in a dominant display to cap off a near-perfect weekend for the Australian sides.
It came after the Australian Girls went down to Japan in the Final, dashing their hopes of defending their crown.
The Australians thought they had the first try of the game through Angus Grover, however, the scrumhalf was ruled to have gone dead in goal after he broke free in the second minute.
The Aussies continued to press and eventually got the opener as Final MVP Wallace Charlie beat two to set up Tom Howard.
They extended their lead right on half-time after Tom Hartman collected the dropped kick-off and sprinted away.
With all the momentum, the Aussies were quick to run away with the game.
Charlie added their third try of the game after stepping and beating his man.
A smart play down the short side from Charlie Bird put the game well and truly out of reach as they cruised home to victory.
Bird was one of three Australians in the team of the tournament alongside Howard and Charlie.
As for the Women, they were unable to get past a red-hot Japan outfit.
The Japanese took down the hosts in the semifinals and continued their impressive run after scoring the first two tries of the game.
Tahlia O’Brien raced away before the break to reduce the margin with a great solo effort.
Waiaria Ellis then produced some brilliant playmaking to set up Damita Betham to reduce the margin to two.
However, the Japanese rallied and hit back twice to close out the Final 26-15.
Rhani Hagan and Amelia Whitaker were rightly rewarded for strong weekends with selection in the team of the tournament.
It came after the Aussies thumped NZ Cavaliers 34-19 and Central Storm 38-14 to book their spots in the Final.
