Aussie Sevens cruise into Hamilton Sevens quarter-finals

Sat, Jan 21, 2023, 7:09 AM
AAP
by AAP
The Sevens sides have booked their place in the quarter-finals. Photo: World Rugby
The Sevens sides have booked their place in the quarter-finals. Photo: World Rugby

Australia's rugby sevens sides have both booked their tickets to the quarter-finals of the series event in Hamilton.

Tim Walsh's women returned to winning ways after losing the final in Cape Town to New Zealand last month.

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The 'Triple Crown' champions - Commonwealth, World Series and World Cup winners - won all three Pool B matches to get their campaign underway in perfect fashion on Saturday.

The co-World Series leaders, alongside the Kiwis, opened with a come-from-behind 26-14 victory over Japan and a 33-7 thumping of Canada, before wrapping up their day's efforts with a 43-0 drubbing of France to confirm top spot.

Maddison Levi was Australia's standout, scoring two tries in each of the first two matches and a hat-trick against Les Bleus.

It included her 50th try on the tour as she extends her lead on top of the try-scoring ladder with 25.

Australia's men, who missed out on the knock-out stages in South Africa, enjoyed more success in Hamilton.

Their Pool B adventure began with a 28-14 win against Great Britain, which was followed up with a 21-19 loss to the hosts.

But a hat-trick from Dietrich Roache in the 36-7 triumph over Tonga, their sixth straight against the Polynesians, sealed their progress in second place behind New Zealand.

John Manenti's men, the defending series champions, will take on the US in the Cup quarters on Sunday.

Series leaders Samoa were a shock exit in the group stages, falling to France and Fiji.

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