Lethal Australia put Ireland to the sword in quarter-final clash

Stacey Flood of Team Ireland in action against Tia Hinds of Team Australia. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Olympic Sevens quarter-final: Australia 40 Ireland 7 

Australia enjoyed a comprehensive victory over Ireland in the quarter-final of the women's rugby sevens competition at the Paris Olympics as they ran out 33-point winners.

It was the second meeting of the day between the pair after Australia overcame Ireland 19-14 in their final Pool B fixture earlier. Their nighttime clash took place in front of a heaving Stade de France, seemingly stunned having just witnessed Canada come back to beat the hosts in their quarter-final.

A poor start squandered any chance of a shock. Ireland received the kickout and Erin King logged one strong carry before Australia pounced. A penalty and quick tap was all it took before Maddison Levi touched down in the opening minute.

Australia’s second try was almost identical. Again, Allan Temple-Jones’ outfit progressed into Australian territory only to concede a penalty and suffer on the counter. Levi raced away and added a third just before the break.

At that point, Ireland were reeling. They failed to secure the restart and gifted Australia a fourth try through Faith Nathan. The margin at half-time was 26 points.

The Olympic debutants lost Beibhinn Parsons to injury early in the second half. A huge Levi carry and clever reverse pass sent Isabella Nasser through a gap to twist the knife.

To their credit, Ireland refused to wilt. What followed was their most prolonged period of possession and an Eve Higgins breakaway. She was caught before the line, but Stacey Flood finally gave the significant Irish support something to shout about when she crossed over in the corner. Zombie was duly rolled out in acknowledgement.

Australia weren’t finished either. They saved the best counter-attack for last. Bienne Terita capitalised on a knock-on as she raged down the right wing to deliver a field-length try.

The result means Ireland will now compete in the in the fifth to eighth place play-offs. They will now face France on Tuesday afternoon.

Ireland: S. Flood; A. Murphy Crowe; B. Parsons; M. Burns; E. Higgins; E. King; E. Lane. Replacements: A. Orchard; V. Elmes Kinlan; A. Fitzpatrick; K. Baker, A. Larn.

Australia: F. Nathan; T. Levi; S. Paki; C. Caslick; T. Hinds; I. Nasser; M. Levi. Replacements: B. Terita; S. Smale; D. du Toit; B. Clark; K. Henwood.

Referee: F. Brown (GBR).