1
Canada upset Australia to end Rio 2016 champions' gold medal hopes
By Martyn Thomas
Canada are guaranteed at least a silver medal at Paris 2024 after they beat Australia 21-12 to set up a women’s gold medal match against defending champions New Zealand.
Having upset hosts France on Monday night, Canada recovered from going 12-0 down in their medal semi-final against the SVNS Grand Final winners.
Charity Williams started the comeback on the stroke of half-time before Asia Hogan-Rochester and Piper Logan crossed the whitewash to send Canada into the gold medal match.
Next up for Canada will be a rematch with New Zealand, who beat them 33-7 during the pool stage.
Canada squad members Olivia Apps and Fancy Bermudez have experience of beating New Zealand to a title this year, though, having been part of the 15s side that became World Rugby Pacific Four Series champions in May.
The Black Ferns Sevens secured their passage to the gold medal match with a 24-12 defeat of USA earlier on day three.
New Zealand fell behind to an early Alev Kelter try but a brace apiece for Stacey Waaka and Michaela Blyde put the result beyond doubt before Kristi Kirshe scored a late second for USA.
Blyde’s two tries took her overall Olympic tally to 16, just one behind team-mate and all-time Games top-scorer Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
The gold medal match is scheduled to take place at 19:45 local time (GMT+2) on Tuesday. Before that, Australia will take on USA for the bronze medal.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to comments