SYDNEY, AUS. - The USA Women’s Sevens opened HSBC Sydney Sevens — the fifth women’s round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series — with a difficult game and harsh result.
Losing to Fiji 14-19 with a try in the final seconds, both teams played against a flurry of handling errors and knock ons amidst the hot and humid climate in Australia.
The Eagles Sevens are now under pressure to win the next two games against Brazil and Canada, as well as to tally a high points differential for a chance to make the Semifinals. Under an adjusted format, no quarterfinals will be held in Sydney, where only the top four teams at the end of group play will have a chance to medal.
For the first five minutes, both teams were tied at zero. While Fiji held most possession, knock ons plagued both sides and brought a choppy, stop-start sequence to the game.
Scoring opened when the Fijians overthrew a lineout and Ilona Maher captured the ball for a try mid posts. From there, any try the U.S. scored was matched by the other side; including a pick and go by Alev Kelter in the second half, where Kris Thomas rushed in to bring it over the line.
With only a couple minutes remaining, Fiji found themselves in the try zone again. Only this time, a promising chase down by Kayla Canett had her push the Fijian offender over the touchline to invalidate the score.
Canett’s move was crucial. But as the referee stripped the Fijian try, she also penalized a Alev Kelter with a yellow card for an intentional knock on in the attack prior. The added space created a window for Fiji to spot a gap and run the ball in at fulltime.
The USA will next face Brazil who suffered an opening loss to Canada. KO is set for 11:08 PM ET on NBC Sports Gold.
TRIES | Ilona Maher, Kris Thomas
CONS | Nicole Heavirland, Alev Kelter
STARTERS
6. Lauren Doyle
3. Abby Gustaitis
4. Nicole Heavirland
2. Ilona Maher
1. Steph Rovetti
12. Kristi Kirshe
9. Eti Haungatau
RESERVES
5. Alev Kelter (6’)
11. Kris Thomas (8’)
7. Cheta Emba (7’)
10. Kayla Canett (10’)
HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS SCHEDULE & RESULTS
vs Fiji | 14-19 (L)
vs Brazil | 11:08 PM ET
vs Canada | Feb 1 - 5:06 PM ET
