Gold medallists Australia celebrate winning the women’s rugby sevens tournament. Below: Ellia Green lifts up a team mate as they celebrate. (Photo: AFP)
Gold medallists Australia celebrate winning the women’s rugby sevens tournament. Below: Ellia Green lifts up a team mate as they celebrate. (Photo: AFP)
Rio de Janeiro:
Women’s rugby sevens has a bright long-term future in the Olympics, Australia’s coach Tim Walsh said after his side won the debut gold in Rio. Australia capitalised on the sin binning of star New Zealand winger Portia Woodman to turn the screws and run out 24-17 victors at a raucous Deodoro Stadium.
Rugby sevens was accepted for at the Rio Olympics back in 2009, and Walsh said he believed the three days of entertainment from the 12 teams on show proved rugby was worth its place, albeit there was a large gap between the top and bottom sides.
“Every time somebody watches women’s sevens, they get amazed by the athletic ability, the skills and the sheer excitement of the game,” said Walsh, the former captain of the Wallabies men's sevens team.
First time since 1924 The tournament marked the first time since 1924 that rugby has been played at the Olympics and the debut for sevens, the previous four incarnations featuring men's 15-a-side tournaments.
The final made for a riveting spectacle showcasing high-class skills, knee-trembling defence and tremendous fitness levels.
The Kiwis drew first blood through Kayla McAlister before Emma Tonegato drew the scores level. Woodman’s yellow card saw the Australians score two more through Evania Pelite and Ellia Green to all but end the contest.
Charlotte Caslick added salt to Kiwi wounds before consolation tries from McAlister and Woodman for a beaten New Zealand team. “It’s incredible, we’ve worked so hard for this,” said Australian skipper Shannon Parry.
Bright future, says Parry Parry added: “When I started the game, women's rugby in Australia wasn’t very big, it was very much a minority sport.
“To think eight years down the track I'm now here playing rugby as a full-time profession, I think how far the game has gone but also look to the future and the opportunities it offers.”
New Zealand skipper Sara Goss said all 12 teams had come to the Rio Games “to grow a women’s legacy. To get more women and more children playing rugby and I hope we did that around the world,” she said.
Canada coach John Tait, whose team beat Britain 33-10 for bronze, summed up his feelings with what will surely be music to the ears of the sport’s governing body.
“This sport's come a long way in the last four years,” he said. “I have three young girls and I know they're inspired by it.”
