Aussies claim record win over Kiwis

Sun, May 21, 2017, 1:30 PM
Jill Scanlon
by Jill Scanlon
James Stannard battled on gamely for the Aussie men's Sevens team despite losing a tooth. Photo: Getty Images
James Stannard battled on gamely for the Aussie men's Sevens team despite losing a tooth. Photo: Getty Images

Australia has recorded its biggest ever total against New Zealand with a 40-7 win in the fifth-place semi-final in London.

In contrast to the close contest usually provided by these two combatants, the Aussies took this game by the scruff of the neck from the outset, dominating possession.

A first-up try to Tim Anstee was answered in kind by Tone Ng Shiu to tie up the score.

But then a wonderful one-two play from the Aussie youngsters saw Anstee support Liam McNamara in running in his first try for the day.

At the break, Australia had a 14-7 lead and looked relaxed and confident after the earlier comprehensive defeat by the USA.

James Stannard has had a weekend to write home about and was not going to be left out of the fun.

He scored his first for the day off the back of a great set of offloads early in the second half.

Tries then followed to 18 year old speedster Dylan Pietsch and to Simon Kennewell, with a second for the match to Tim Anstee.

The Aussies had learnt the possession lesson and were retrieving the ball well off the restarts.

Stannard’s try plus his four conversions have moved him well clear on the top of the tournament point-scorers’ table as Australia laid down its highest ever total against New Zealand. 

Australia will play South Africa in the fifth place play-off match at 2.07am AEST.

EARLIER

Quarter-final vs USA

It was the story of the Baker and the lost tooth as the Aussie Men's Sevens side went down to the USA in the quarter-final at the World Series tournament in London.

Australia lost to the USA 31-14 in the first of the quarter finals to be played and it was all about Perry Baker's "gas" and James Stannard's lost tooth.

From the outset, the USA had command of the possession and as a result got the ball to their phenomenal flying machine out wide, Baker.

The speedster scored in the opening minute followed closely by two from Maku Unufe, having the Aussies' heads spinning.

Alex Gibbon got Australia on the board just before half-time reducing the margin slightly, 19-7.

Baker quickly racked up two more to secure a hat-trick when he collided in a tackle with Aussie captain James Stannard.

As a discussion with referee Craig Joubert ensued about the dislodged tooth, Stannard insisted play continue and asked the ref to pop it in his pocket.

With commentators well amused, play went on.

Simon Kennewell made it to the try line before the final hooter, or cow call as is the case at Twickenham this year, but the game had well and truly been won.

Dominated by the lanky speedster, this game proved that sevens is all about possession and pace.

Baker however insisted post-match that it’s all about his team-mates.

“It’s pretty easy when the guys on the inside do all the work for you.”

 

Hat-trick hero @pbake11 is sprinkling the magic at the #London7s with this beauty of a hat-trick @usarugby

A post shared by World Rugby (@worldrugby) on

Australia will go into the group to play off for fifth place, taking on New Zealand which has lost its quarter-final to Scotland in a last-second thriller.

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