Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Denise Gabbard
Paladin
Craig HillAustralia Defeat Portugal In Rugby World Cup Sevens
March 6th 2009 07:21
The Australian Men’s Sevens team has had a solid start to their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign by downing Portugal 24-12 in their first Pool match in Dubai.
“We feel relieved more than anything,” the Australian Sevens Coach Michael O’Connor said.
“Portugal is a good side; the last time we played them under 12 months ago they beat us quite comfortably in London. They have done very well in recent tournaments and it was never going to be an easy game for us,” O’Connor added.
In the first half Australia gave away a lot of penalties therefore they didn’t have many possessions and had to do a lot of tackling.
“The players showed a lot of commitment and courage in defence. They really didn’t have much form in the first half,” O’Connor, a former Wallaby said.
Richard Kingi put the first points on the board for Australia by scoring a try and a conversion before half time.
At the break the score was 7-0 to Australia.
The Australian Women’s Sevens team, who start their inaugural World Cup campaign later today (6pm Sydney time), were at the Aussie men’s match to support them.
In the second half, Australia extended their lead by scoring three tries and a conversion. Portugal dug deep and put a few points on the board but this was not enough to overcome Australia, who won 24-12.
The Aussie side backs up at 2.40pm on 6 March [9.40pm AEST] against Ireland, and 6.44pm [1.44am, 7 Mar, AEST] later that evening for the final match of the pool against Samoa.
“We just watched Ireland play Samoa. Samoa won 35-5. Ireland is not on the IRB Sevens World Series full-time but they have some big and very quick players,” O’Connor said.
“Our big game is tomorrow night against Samoa.
Over the next two days 50,000 spectators are expected to come and watch the Sevens World Cup action in Dubai.
Australia 24 (Richard Kingi, Henry Vanderglas, Damon Murphy and Brian Sefanaia tries; Richard Kingi con, William Bishop con) defeated Portugal 12.
ARU
“We feel relieved more than anything,” the Australian Sevens Coach Michael O’Connor said.
“Portugal is a good side; the last time we played them under 12 months ago they beat us quite comfortably in London. They have done very well in recent tournaments and it was never going to be an easy game for us,” O’Connor added.
In the first half Australia gave away a lot of penalties therefore they didn’t have many possessions and had to do a lot of tackling.
“The players showed a lot of commitment and courage in defence. They really didn’t have much form in the first half,” O’Connor, a former Wallaby said.
Richard Kingi put the first points on the board for Australia by scoring a try and a conversion before half time.
At the break the score was 7-0 to Australia.
The Australian Women’s Sevens team, who start their inaugural World Cup campaign later today (6pm Sydney time), were at the Aussie men’s match to support them.
In the second half, Australia extended their lead by scoring three tries and a conversion. Portugal dug deep and put a few points on the board but this was not enough to overcome Australia, who won 24-12.
The Aussie side backs up at 2.40pm on 6 March [9.40pm AEST] against Ireland, and 6.44pm [1.44am, 7 Mar, AEST] later that evening for the final match of the pool against Samoa.
“We just watched Ireland play Samoa. Samoa won 35-5. Ireland is not on the IRB Sevens World Series full-time but they have some big and very quick players,” O’Connor said.
“Our big game is tomorrow night against Samoa.
Over the next two days 50,000 spectators are expected to come and watch the Sevens World Cup action in Dubai.
Australia 24 (Richard Kingi, Henry Vanderglas, Damon Murphy and Brian Sefanaia tries; Richard Kingi con, William Bishop con) defeated Portugal 12.
ARU
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