Aussies go two-from-two on day one

Fri, Apr 13, 2018, 12:35 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Charlotte Caslick and the Australians are two from two. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Charlotte Caslick and the Australians are two from two. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

The opening day of Commonwealth Games action is in the books and Australia are off to a flyer.

The Aussie Women are two-from-two, flogging Wales before piecing together a resurgent second half to push past England.

Here's how all the action panned out at Robina Stadium.

10:35pm - Walsh's take on a thrilling opening day

See what Tim Walsh had to say after his side started their Commonwealth Games campaign in style.


9:15pm - The Saturday lowdown

The Australian Women have just the one match on Saturday - a showdown with Fiji at 7:21pm AEST.

While they have locked in a Sunday semi-final berth with their perfect start to the tournament, beating Fiji will put them up against the second ranked side in Pool A - which is likely to be Canada.Charlotte Caslick and the Australians corralled Wales. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyIt will be the Men's turn to take centre stage tomorrow.

They kick the day off with a 9:31am clash against Samoa before taking on Jamaica at 1:11pm and England at 8:05pm.

9pm - Pool standings

Now that each team has played two pool matches, let's have a look at how the standings lie.

Pool A

New Zealand - 6 points

Canada - 6 points

Kenya - 2 points

South Africa - 2 points

Pool B 

Australia - 6 points

Fiji - 3 points

England - 3 points

Wales - 3 points

8:37pm - Women's Pool B - Australia 29 England 12

Australia are off to the perfect start at the Commonwealth Games, brushing a shaky first half to cruise past England in their second pool match.

England bombed a golden opportunity to open the scoring and Emma Tonegato made the Poms pay, slicing the line and scoring thanks to a brilliant dummy-step combination.Emma Tonegato scored the opener against England. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyAbigail Brown returned serve for England before Deborah Fleming put her side in front, just rewards for a first term which they controlled.

But the Aussies weren't done with just yet, Ellia Green scoring a sizzling 60 metre try which brought the Robina Stadium crowd to its feet.

That locked things up at 12-all and the Aussies immediately applied the heat when play resumed, a desperate flick off the ground from Alicia Quirk allowing Emma Sykes to fall over the ball on the line.Ellia Green scored a scintillating try just before half time. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleySome determined defence from the Australians followed before a brilliant pass from Tonegato put Vani Pelite away, opening up a 24-12 lead in the final minute.

A sublime Sykes grubber set Cassie Staples up for a breathtaking finish as the final siren sounded, Australia claiming a clean sweep on day one.

6:45pm - Williams pleased with Aussies after opener

Sharni Williams crossed in Australia's opener. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyAustralian co-captain Sharni Williams was pleased with her side's execution in front of a vocal Robina Stadium crowd.

"We played at a high tempo and we were able to execute our attack," Williams said.

"It's important for us to show Australia what we are all about."

RESULTS

Women's Pool Matches - Round two

Pool A

Canada 24 Kenya 12

New Zealand 41 South Africa 0

Pool B

Fiji 29 Wales 7

Australia 29 England 12

5:55pm - Women's Pool B - Australia 34 Wales 5

Australia are on the board, thumping Wales in their Commonwealth Games opener.

Emilee Cherry set up Emma Tonegato for Australia's first, which sent the Gold Coast crowd into raptures.Vani Pelite was an influential figure in Australia's win. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyVani Pelite struck next, Emma Sykes stepping off her left foot three times to create the break.

Ellia Green then entered the fray and immediately made her impact known, crossing after a crisp pass from Sykes put her on the outside of her opposite number.

Sharni Williams crossed for the final try of the first term a minute later, quick thinking from Charlotte Caslick setting up the 22-0 half time lead.Ellia Green nabbed a double for the Aussies. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyCaslick was chased down in the shadows of the try line as she sought to add Australia's next after the break but a scrum followed and a smart pass from Alicia Quirk then put Green over for her second.

Jasmin Joyce then crossed for Wales' first before Dom Du Toit made an immediate impact after being injected into the match, crossing under the sticks for what would be the final scoring act.

RESULTS

Women's Pool Matches - Round one

Pool A

Canada 29 South Africa 0

New Zealand 45 Kenya 0

Pool B

Australia 34 Wales 5

England 17 Fiji 5

4:45pm - Gold Coast crowd looking the goods

There are some lairy outfits among the sold out crowd at Robina Stadium...Gold wigs are the new black. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

The Tonegato clan are out in full force. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

4pm - Australian fixtures

Here's when the Aussie Women will play each of their pool matches.

Friday, April 13

5:37pm - vs Wales

8:17pm - vs England

Saturday, April 14

7:21pm - vs Fiji

For a full draw, click here.

3:50pm - Australia prepare for pool matches

ICYMI, here's what coach Tim Walsh and Charlotte Caslick had to say ahead of kick off.

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