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Recap: Sydney Sevens Day Three blog
By Finn Morton
It all comes down to this. After two days of unmissable rugby action at Allianz Stadium, the Sydney Sevens enters its final day.
Silverware, bragging rights and championship glory are practically within reach for the last four teams standing in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
But this year’s semi-finalists will have to bring their A-game if they want to be crowned Sydney Sevens champions.
The first two days of this year’s Sydney Sevens were brilliant, as rugby fans witnessed a number of thrilling matches between the world’s best teams.
But Day Two was especially intriguing.
Unfortunately for Australian rugby fans, those in attendance witnessed two of the biggest upsets of the World Series season so far.
The Australian Women’s team coasted through pool play with ease, as they outclassed their three opponents.
But their quarter-final matchup was a different story. A yellow card to captain Charlotte Caslick was a turning point for both the Aussies and opponents France.
Les Bleus stunned the home crowd with a 10-5 victory, and the men’s team repeated that feat a couple of hours later.
In the final game of the day, France beat the Australian men’s team 14-17 – with a successful penalty attempt from Thomas Carol in the 15th minute deciding the sudden death clash.
Meanwhile, New Zealand have made the semi-finals in both the men’s and women’s competitions, and have a golden opportunity to win some valuable World Series points.
The Black Ferns Sevens are already four points clear of their Trans-Tasman rivals on the overall standings, and have a chance to separate themselves from the pack even further.
“You’ve just got no idea who’s gonna turn up on the day and you have to turn up, no matter if it’s your home, quarters, first pool game,” New Zealand star Michaela Blyde told RugbyPass on Day Two.
“Obviously it’s an opportunity for us to get some good points ahead of them.”
There are no second chances; this is finals footy. Every team in the finals race will believe they can win it all, but it’s up to them to prove it.
RugbyPass is here at Allianz Stadium, and will keep you updated on all the latest action throughout Day Three of the Sydney Sevens.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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