The first session of the Women’s Sevens at the Olympics in Rio is complete with Team GB getting off to a winning start.
Session One
11:00 local (GMT -3)
France 24-7 Spain
New Zealand 52-0 Kenya
Great Britain 29-3 Brazil
Canada 45-0 Japan
USA 7-12 Fiji
Australia 53-0 Colombia
Pool A – Australia, United States, Fiji, Colombia
USA 7-12 FIJI
Tries from Luisa Tisolo and Tima Ravisa give Fiji an unexpected but deserved 12-0 lead with time running out. A deft back-handed offload from Akalaini Baravilala freed up Alev Kelter to score in the corner but it wasn’t enough for the USA as the Fijians held on for the historic win.
AUSTRALIA 53-0 COLOMBIA
The favourites Australia ended the morning session with a thumping victory to begin their bid for gold in the best possible fashion. Tries from Sharni William, Charlotte Caslick (2), Emma Tonegato and Shannon Parry gave the Aussies a 27-0 lead at the break. Casalick completed her hat-trick after the restart before further scores from Nicole Beck (2) and Amy Turner completed the romping.
Pool B – New Zealand, France, Spain, Kenya
FRANCE 27-7 SPAIN
France outclassed Spain in the historic first women’s rugby match at the Olympics, five years after the sport was admitted in 2009.
NEW ZEALAND 52-0 KENYA
Portia Woodman introduced herself to the Olympic stage in fine fashion, scoring a hat-trick against Kenya as New Zealand romped to a convincing 52-0 win.
Pool C – Canada, Great Britain, Brazil, Japan
TEAM GB 29-3 BRAZIL
Team GB women’s Sevens got their bid for gold off to the perfect start as they overcame hosts Brazil in Rio on Saturday. Joanne Watmore’s try gave Team GB a 7-3 lead at the break before a brace from Natasha Hunt and scores from Jasmine Joyce and Emily Scott secured a comfortable 29-3 win
CANADA 45-0 JAPAN
Inside 20 seconds, Ghislaine Landry scoops up a loose ball from the kick-off to score under the posts. 90 seconds later Kayla Moleschi extended the lead before Bianca Farella added a third. Landry then dotted down her second to give the Canadians a 26-0 lead at the break. Farella added her second after the restart before further scores from Brittany Benn and Natatsha Watcham-Roy secured the thumping victory.
