Olympic Sevens, Women - Day One
LIVE BLOGGING: Join us as we bring you updates from the Sevens tournament at the Paris Olympics.
After three drama-packed days of the men’s competition, we switch to the women at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Australia and New Zealand hope to send legendary players a golden goodbye.
The Trans-Tasman rivals arrived in Paris with one Olympic gold apiece, Australia scaling the podium’s top step as Sevens returned to the Games at Rio 2016, before the Black Ferns won gold in Tokyo three years ago.
* Below we bring you all the drama from the women’s Day One at the iconic Stade de France.
Sunday, July 28
Ireland 12 -21 Great Britain
The first game was contested between neighboring nations with the last encounter between the two sides resulting in victory for Great Britain. With the gold now on the line, it was time for both teams to really impose their dominance. Ireland dealt the first blow with Amy Crowe before Norman-Bell could pull one back for Great Britain. The first half ended on level terms before Crowe would strike again for Ireland to gain the upper hand in what had been a even contest up until then. Ireland’s lead would be short-lived as Great Britain surged forward in the second half to produce two well-worked tries with Joyce and then with their Captain, Uren which would be enough for Great Britain to get home for back to back wins in stunning fashion overcoming this in-form Irish side and make a big statement in the opening game of the competition.
Australia 34 – 5 South Africa
It was the high-flying Australians who were able to shoot the lights out against their South African counterparts. The first try came with a minute into the game through the talismanic Madison Levi who cut inside the defense to score. The onslaught would begin from there with South Africa making a costly error at the lineout to give Nathan a run in for the corner for Australia’s second try. The second half continued where the first half left off with a talented Australian team running the South Africans ragged notably with Madison Levi bagging four tries while her sister, Tegan would get over the line as well. The game ends with South Africa playing for pride as they were able to deny Australia a clean sheet with the last score coming from their stalwart, Nadine Roos.
United States 36 – 7 Japan
The United States came out to send a message that they mean business in the opening round of the competition. Japan initially opened the scoring with Mizutani but their lead would not last long as the United States began to shift gears scoring four tries of their own before the end of the first half courtesy of Levy, Sullivan and a brace coming from Kirshe. The second half action would all be from the United States as they ran in a couple more tries including a powerful stiff arm by Maher to the Japanese defense and a textbook switch-pass on the wing for Sedrick which proved all too much for Japan to contend with as the United States opened their account in comfortable style.
France 26 – 0 Brazil
This Brazilian side has continued to improve in leaps and bounds this season showing that they can compete with the best. The opening moments of the game ebbed and flowed with both teams looking to gain control. Brazil began to feel the pressure with the crowd raising the noise levels as they cheered the home side on. This would be too much for Brazil as their defense gave way for France to run in two tries in the first half through Grisez and Pelle leaving the Brazilians somewhat out of breath from all their defensive efforts. The occasion eventually got to the Brazil as France scored two more tries in the second half through Okemba and Jason to close out a game in what had the Brazilian players gassed out by the final whistle.
Fiji 14 – 17 Canada
An action-packed game was had between these two evenly-matched sides. The first half was an enterprising one that had the ball going coast to coast with both teams being elusive on attack and resilient on defense. The Canadians struck first breaking a tense deadlock with Symonds bursting through the line to run in the first try for her team. The pace of Williams would be next to get Canada a second try as the Fijians knew they had to step it up a notch going into the second half. Fiji would find their rhythm eventually running in two tries of their own but the Canadians did just about enough to ensure an impressive result and opening round performance against one of the favorites in this competition.
New Zealand 43 – 5 China
Both teams ran out onto the pitch in high spirits embracing the atmosphere and looking to rise up to the occasion. The first half would belong to New Zealand with Michaela Blyde taking matters into her own hands running in a hat-trick of tries through some strong ball-carrying that was all too much for the Chinese defense to cope with. China continued to show heart on defense but the game was done and dusted with Blyde getting a fourth try a long with the ever-smiling Waaka bagging a brace. Lu would grab a constellation score to ensure her team didn’t walk away without points on the board but a masterclass from New Zealand puts them as front-runners in the competition and a force to be reckoned with against their next opponents.
Ireland 38 – 0 South Africa
The series continued between these two rival nations. The South Africans put on a good performance in the first half having most of the territory but trailed by sevens points at the break as Parsons scored for the Irish from her own 22m against the run of play. Murphy Crowe would get Ireland their second try after coming close to regathering a cross-kick on the try-line minutes before. Ireland would show their level in the second half running in three more tries from Flood, Kinlan and Higgins to seamlessly brush off the South African challenge and get back on track with their campaign.
Australia 36 – 5 Great Britain
A confident Great Britain team took on a might Australian side in what was to be an interesting contest. Great Britain started out the blocks first capitalizing on a yellow card to Tegan Levi for the space to open up for Heather Cowell to dive in the corner. The Australians would regroup and take control of the game from there with two 80m tries scored by Madison Levi and another from Terita to pull away for a handy lead at the halftime break. The second half would be the Levi show with Madison getting her second consecutive hat-trick and a redemption try for Tegan to make up for her time in the sin-bin and that caps off an impressive first day performance for Australia.
United States 24 – 5 Brazil
The first half of the game was a well-contested affair with the United States getting their noses in front to score their second try before the break of play. Brazil took advantage of a set piece scrum that saw Thalia Costa sneak in the corner to score for her team while the United States flexed their American muscle with a busting try from Kelter followed by Sullivan running the length of the field. Brazil would not see the try-line again in the second half as the United States were able to cruise through to victory with Maher and Sedrick scoring further tries both extending their streaks of scoring in back to back matches.
France 49 – 0 Japan
The French laid down the gauntlet in a complete walkover against Japan. France made full use of their home ground advantage in racing to a hefty lead well before half-time. Jason starred for France scoring a hat-trick of tries to help her team grab valuable log points and cement themselves as top contenders for gold. Japan will feel that this wasn’t their best performance having not been able to crossover the whitewash and will want to improve going into day two.
Fiji 12 – 40 China
The stakes were high in this match up between two sides looking for their first win of the campaign. China punched above their weight in the first half putting on a remarkable performance that saw them leading at half-time with the likes of Wang, Yang and Yan finding their ways to the try-line. Fiji would pull one back with Nakoci in what was anticipated to be the start of their rule over the game. The ruling was not to be as China reigned down a new dawn in their game absolutely shell-shocking the Fijians with the likes of Chen, Lu and Dou running in tries in the second half to complete a stunning upset over a Fijian side that just wasn’t able to get out of second gear on day one of the competition.
New Zealand 33 – 7 Canada
The match got off to a physically bruising and ‘helter-skelter’ start with both teams looking to play the game at their own tempo. The youthful Jorja Miller would score first after chancing her arm in the outfield before the pace of Williams got a try for her team to even the odds. New Zealand would show their dominance in the second half to grind out the win against a defiant Canadian team that just wouldn’t go away. New Zealand end the first day of their campaign in a commanding position as they look to defend their gold going into day two.
