Written by Nathan Williamson, courtesy of qld.rugby Source article
Australia has gone down in the final seconds of the bronze medal match to the USA 14-12 on a disaster day at the Paris Olympics.
America’s Alex Sedrick ran the length of the field to sink Australia after the siren after Maddison Levi’s try looked to have won it.
“It sucks. We played our hearts out but that’s the beauty of Sevens and sport and that’s why we play it. It’s a game of moments,” a gutted Charlotte Caslick said after the loss.
“There’s a few of those we’d love to do differently but we can’t take that back but I’m still proud of the girls.”
Australia found themselves in the bronze medal match after a 21-12 defeat to Canada in the semi-finals that left players shattered and stunned at the Stade de France.
Tim Walsh‘s side sought to rally three hours later and Maddison Levi’s try in the opening minutes got them off to an ideal start.
However, the over-eagerness stemming from an emotional defeat cost them as Teagan Levi was yellow carded for a high shot.
Whilst they held out the USA, Alev Kelter barged over on Levi’s return to level the game at the break.
Australia looked certain to score when Bella Nasser and Sariah Paki had a two-on-one overlap, only for the ball to be dropped over the line.
The injection of Sharni Smale in her final Sevens game looked to have delivered the game-winning moment after winning the tighthead scrum and setting up Levi’s second.
But Sedrick’s burst from her own five-metre line broke the Australia defence and hearts as she had enough pace to score under the posts and convert her own try.
Earlier in the day, the Aussies looked on track for the gold medal match when two quick tries gave them a 12-0 lead in the semi-final.
The Australians pressed the Canadian line before a match-turning play from Canada saw Charity Williams run the length of the field to reduce the lead to 12-7 heading into the break.
It gave Canada all the confidence it needed and Asia Hogan-Rochester’s powerful run and try gave them a sudden lead.
Australia never recovered, with Canada playmaker Piper Logan sealing the win with a late try.
“A bit of winning and a bit of learning. I wish we did a bit more winning and it would have been a better end to the season,” Walsh reflected on the day.
“…It can be on a small margin, winning or not against some really good opposition. We played some good footy, didn’t execute when we could have or should have and it would have been a different result
“They’re devastated, they’ve put a lot into it, everyone has. We came into this tournament to walk away without regret…every single one has done that. They’re going to be disappointed, but i’m proud of them.”
