USA Women’s Eagles Sevens – RWC7s Bronze Final

USA Rugby Women’s Eagles Sevens defeated China 38-7 to open the Rugby World Cup at AT&T Park in San Francisco. This set up a Champions Quarterfinal match against Russia who beat South Africa 24-14. The USA beat Russia 33-17 in the quarterfinals and lost to New Zealand 26-21 in the Championship Semi-Finals. In the Bronze final Australia left with the medal after a 24-14 win over the USA.

USA v Australia Recap

The USA Women’s Eagles 7s had the first scoring opportunity as Abby Gustaitis appeared to go over the in-goal line for a try. A TMO showed that the ball was lost prior to grounding and the try was voided. From the ensuing 5-meter scrum, Australia’s Evania Pelite stepped a defended a raced in for a long try. Emilee Cherry then converted to take a 7-0 lead.

The USA then attacked with a break by Lauren Doyle and after Jordan Gray went into contact, the ball went wide to Naya Tapper for a try in the corner. Nicole Heavirland slotted the kick to level the score at 7 all.

Australia then added two tries from Cassandra Staples and Ellia Green to take a 17-7 lead. The USA answered back with a long try by Naya Tapper with Heavirland again converting to cut the lead to 17-14.

The ensuing restart bounced off Cheta Emba’s hands, Ellia Green skirted the breakdown for her second try with Emilee Cherry converting to give Australia a 24-14 win in the bronze final.

USA Women’s Eagles 7s: Cheta Emba 2 Ryan Carlyle 3 Abby Gustaitis 4 Nicole Heavirland (C) 5 Kelly Griffin 6 Lauren Doyle 7 Naya Tapper 8 Ilona Maher 9 Joanne Faavesi 10 Kate Zackary 11 Kristen Thomas 12 Jordan Gray + HC Richie Walker (Starters numbers bolded)

Australia: 1 Shannon Parry 2 Sharni Williams 3 Demi Hayes 4 Page McGregor 5 Emma Tonegato 6 Evania Pelite 7 Charlotte Caslick 8 Yasmin Meakes 9 Cassandra Staples 10 Alicia Quirk 11 Emilee Cherry 12 Ellia Green (Starters numbers bolded)