Singapore Sevens: Australia ‘firing’ to stay on track for decider with New Zealand in ‘phenomenal’ women’s event
- Green-and-gold ‘dominating stadium’ according to 2016 Olympic winner Alicia Lucas, while Bryan Habana says women have ‘grabbed their opportunity’ on world stage
- In men’s competition, France, chasing Olympic gold on home turf, are stunned by Great Britain, who reach last four with Ireland, Australia and New Zealand
Alicia Lucas, the 2016 Olympic rugby gold medallist, said Australia’s women were “out-and-out firing”, after their destructive form booked a Singapore Sevens semi-final meeting with France on Sunday.
The green-and-gold routed Fiji 60-0 in their closing group fixture on Saturday before a 24-14 quarter-final win over Ireland that belied a one-sided game.
Singapore is poised for a dream final as it hosts a women’s competition alongside its men’s event for the first time. New Zealand breezed through to a last-four contest with Fiji, who recovered from their Australian slaying to beat Japan 12-10 in an absorbing quarter-final.
The Kiwis and Australians came into this closing HSBC SVNS Series leg level-pegging on 106 points at the top of the season standings. Should each overcome their semi-final opponents, they would set up a contest to decide the league winners.
New Zealand brushed past Canada 31-7 to complete a perfect group stage, before Great Britain offered little resistance in a quarter-final won 24-5 by the imperious Black Ferns.
Lucas, an HSBC global brand ambassador, whose Australia team toppled New Zealand in the 2016 Rio Games final, said: “It is incredible to have the women playing in Singapore for the first time, and they are dominating this stadium.
