Aussies must lift to challenge for Cup: Walsh

Fri, Dec 1, 2017, 1:19 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
They did it easy against Japan while England and Russia proved tougher on day one of the opening World Series leg in Dubai. Check out some of the best of the action including a ridiculous Pelite pass and Tonegato double.

His team is in pole position to make a run at the Cup in Dubai but Australian Women's Sevens coach Tim Walsh is far from content with an opening day clean sweep.

Australia were barely troubled by Russia, England and Japan but Walsh immediately pointed out a few areas which must be fixed up before the quarter final against England at 4:44pm AEDT this afternoon.

"Three wins, which is always good and a nice start to the season but if we play like we did today, tomorrow, I don't think we are going to win the tournament," he said at the end of day one.

"We have some areas we really need to work on.

"Defensively we leaked too many and we were tackling too high.
A quarter final clash with England awaits the Aussies. Photo: Getty Images"In attack we were just a little bit indecisive.

"If we can tighten up those areas we will be in a much better position to really attack this tournament."

Walsh's side topped Pool B and that means they were scheduled to play the best ranked third place pool team, which happened to be England.

A 22-7 win against the old enemy on day one will give the Australians confidence but Walsh expects the level of play to go up another gear.

"I think England are going to be a team that are going to be the most improved from tournament to tournament," he said.

"They've got some experienced heads and some really good young players coming through.

"They're going to get better and better so we have to match it with them tomorrow to get through that quarter final and really take it forward.
Page McGregor crossed for a try on debut. Photo: Getty Images"We will get confidence from beating them, which is nice, but we don't want to give them any front foot ball or give them a sniff of victory.

"We have to be ready to go from the start."

Walsh was also complimentary of World Series rookie Page McGregor, who experienced highs and lows on day one after scoring the team's first try of the day before being sin binned for deliberately knocking a loose ball dead from the in goal area against Russia.

"She had a very good day, I thought," Walsh said.

"It was just a rush of blood and she was doing everything she could to stop the try.

"It was really pleasing to see her score the first try of the tournament and she had some really good tackles as well.

"She has a lot of learning and a long way to go but it was great exposure and a real confidence builder for her to get some good minutes and get over the try line."

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