Women’s rugby semifinals set, U.S. eliminated from medal contention

Australia, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand will contest the semi-finals of the first Olympic rugby sevens tournament in Rio.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The United States was seconds away from the biggest upset of the Olympic rugby sevens tournament before Emma Tonegato and Chloe Dalton combined to earn Australia a 12-12 draw Sunday in a dramatic end to the group stage. “I think it’s an unconscious thing but tomorrow we start fresh”.

The USA, who drew 12-12 with gold medal favourites Australia in their last pool match, camped in New Zealand’s territory for much of the second spell but couldn’t alter the 5-0 halftime scoreline.

The 12-player British squad contains 11 members of the England team which finished the world sevens series tied with Canada, which won the last stop on the tour and edged into third place and was confident of winning an Olympic medal. “We’ve created the opportunity, and now it’s up to us to take it”. “We’re not happy with a bronze or a silver, we want a gold”, Walsh said.

Tonegato scored the first try against Spain, following up her double against the Americans, and Charlotte Caslick crossed twice, including a solo, long-range try.

Australia coach Tim Walsh said the Americans gave his team “the kick up the trousers that we needed going into the quarterfinals”, where Charlotte Caslick scored twice and Tonegato added another to each increase their tournament tallies to six, equal with Woodman.

“Today we grinded out wins which is what good teams need to do”, he said.

Litia Naiqato loped over the line with the ball in one hand to level the scores halfway through the first half but Britain responded with tries from Alice Richardson and Joanne Whatmore with Brown crossing again for the only score after the break.

Caslick said the Australian team had lifted its intensity after the close call against the Americans, when her desperate covering tackle saved an nearly certain try that would have significantly altered the outcome. “We stuck to our principles and basics and came out with the win”.

Kyla McAlister then touched down at the buzzer to complete the rout in what was exhibition stuff from New Zealand for 14 minutes and a shame for Mike Shamiah’s side as the sport marked its debut at the Olympics.

USA’s Jessica Javelet, right, is tackled by Australia’s Emma Tonegato, back, as teammate Kelly Griffin, watches during the women’s rugby sevens match at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016.