Uni Sevens prove bright spot in tough weekend

Sun, Jul 10, 2016, 5:00 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
The men's Uniroos won the World University Sevens Championships. Photo: Capture the Event
The men's Uniroos won the World University Sevens Championships. Photo: Capture the Event

On a difficult Super Rugby weekend, there was at least one Australian winner for rugby fans to hang their hats on.

Australia's University Sevens side snatched a last-minute try to edge out Great Britain in a dramatic final in Swansea.

Captain Conor Mitchell, also a member of the national Sevens program, scored the tournament-winning try after the final hooter had sounded, breaking British hearts in the process.

“I’m stoked, it was an awesome feeling, I thought the game was lost when Great Britain had that scrum, but I always had faith in the boys,” he said.

“I knew if we could get the ball we could find a way to the line and I am ecstatic.

“Great Britain are a real quality side and it showed out there, but the boys dug in deep and it is just such an unbelievable feeling to win it.

“We hung on to the ball well and we applied pressure in defence well to make sure we could win the ball back.”

The final victory capped off an undefeated run through the tournament for the Aussie men, coached by Hugh Carpenter.

Australia's women finished 10th overall in the competition, with France the overall winners.

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