Aussies to face Spain in Sydney QF

Fri, Jan 26, 2018, 6:38 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Emilee Cherry scored with her first touch in Sydney, as Australia romped to a big win over France.

Australia's women cruised through their Sydney 7s pool matches, but day two will prove the ultimate test for the home side.

It was the finals where they unravelled in 2016, and a quarter-final against Spain will be the first chance for the side to prove that they can continue their winning ways from Dubai on home soil.

The return of Ellia Green was a massive boost for Australia in Sydney, after a nine-month layoff, and the speedster admitted she had plenty of nerves coming into her first World Series tournament after the injury.

"I've been pretty nervous. Playing games and training and everything is a different story to playing a World Series circuit," she said.

"Just to be back on board just reminds me why I love this game so much. 


"The welcome when I got when I first even ran onto the field literally gave goosebumps, it was overwhelming and to have my teammates cheering me on the whole way as well."

Green didn't look to have lost much of her quality, running in six tries on the opening day, and coach Tim Walsh said Green had more than met expectatoins in her comeback.

"We've got to look after her and monitor her loads and there was no expectations on Ellia for this tournament, it was about getting her game time, getting her back into rugby mode and building her up to Commonwealth Games and beyond but very pleasing," he said.

"As she usually does, she performs above expectation."

Australia capped off a clinical afternoon with a huge 43-0 win over Spain.

Emilee Cherry finished off a superb effort in the second minute, running 70 metres to score, ches.with her first touch of the day, after being kept on ice in the opening two mat

Alicia Quirk was over two minutes later, finishing off some a period of building pressure against the French.


Charlotte Caslick crossed for Australia's third and then Ellia Green added another to her tally to put the home side well on top at the break.

Green wasn't satisfied with just one five-pointer this time around though, slicing through the French to score again, before Cherry steadied a juggling pass to make hers a double as well.

A third for Green helped Australia seal another victory at the end of a big day, in which Australia did not concede a single point.

Walsh said that element was the most pleasing of the pool matches.

"It was a pleasing performance, particularly the 0 in our defensive effort, which is always what coaches are always after and that really shows your desire," he said.

"That last 30 seconds against the French when they're on their line and they still didn't want to let them in.

"It was really good character to finish the day."

Australia will play its cup quarter-final at 9:44am AEDT on Saturday, against Spain, who finished as the second-best third-placed side, after Australia beat them in their opening match, 29-0.

The other quarter-finals are: USA vs Russai, New Zealand vs Ireland and Canada vs France.

Keep up with all the Sydney 7s action in our live blog.

RESULT

Australia 43

Tries: Green 3, Cherry 2, Quirk, Caslick

Cons: Sykes 3, Williams

France 0

FIXTURES

Sydney 7s Women's Cup quarter-finals

9:44am AEDT - Australia vs Spain

10:06am -AEDT - USA vs Russia 

10;28am AEDT - New Zealand vs Ireland

10:50am AEDT - Canada vs France

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