Australia experienced up and down fortunes at the opening day of the World Rugby Sevens Grand Final in Madrid with the women’s side scoring a comprehensive win but the men going down to France in an error-riddled performance.
The men were never in the contest against the French on the way to a 38-5 flogging.
In humid conditions at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, the Aussies welcomed back the likes of Josh Turner and Matt Gonzalez from injury but it wasn’t enough as France racked up a 19-0 lead by half-time.
France added three more in the second half as Australia managed a late consolation try via Nathan Lawson after combining with Hayden Sargeant on the right edge.
John Manenti’s side needs to produce a massive turnaround against Great Britain (Sunday 1:27am AEST) and Argentina (5:17am AEST).
The Aussie women surged to a 33-14 win over Ireland to start their campaign with the Levi sisters crossing for doubles each and captain Charlotte Caslick celebrating her return to the side with a try.
Bienne Terita produced a charging run for Teagan Levi to open the scoring early on the right edge before Caslick backed up an offload from Bella Nasser to go over under the posts.
Ireland returned serve in the minutes prior to half-time with back-to-back converted tries to level the scores at 14-14 but the Aussies hit another gear in the second half.
Three more tries to the Levi sisters – Teagan grabbing a double after the break and Maddison scoring two – set up a comfortable victory.
Teagan Levi on the run for Australia against Ireland at Madrid. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
“We went to Montpellier last week for a pre-Olympic camp and leading in we’ve bonded really well and all want the same thing,” Teagan said.
“This weekend will be a good chance to show what we’ve been working on. It’s been a very upsetting time with [the season-ending injuries to Madison Ashby and Lily Dick] but as we say the next person in line will be there to do the job.
“We’re such a tight-knit sisterhood and we’re there for each other and have stepped up a little bit each to rally around those [injured] at home.”
They return to the field on Saturday evening against Fiji at 8:22pm AEST, followed by a clash with France at 11:27pm AEST.
