HONG KONG: Here we go again.
Australia and New Zealand are set to deepen their storied rivalry when they face off in the women’s final of the Hong Kong Sevens this Sunday at 9.10pm AEDT.
The Australians secured their spot in the final with a commanding 28-5 victory over France in the semi-finals, while the Kiwis showcased their strength by dismantling Canada with a staggering 41-0 scoreline.
Maddison Levi maintained her impressive form, netting another hat-trick at the chilly Kai Tak Stadium, setting a new tournament record. Bridget Clark also crossed the line for a try.
Coach Tim Walsh embraced the role of underdogs as they prepare to take on the world series leaders.
“They’re on fire, and they’ve got numerous key threats,” Walsh remarked.
“We know we’re the underdogs, and that’s just the reality… they’re looking for one-on-one opportunities, so we’ve got to be tenacious over the ball and convert our chances into points to apply pressure,” he added.
“They haven’t faced much pressure throughout this tournament, so we’re hoping to change that.”
A critical focus for Australia will be neutralising the influence of New Zealand’s Jorja Miller, a former highland dancing sensation.
Jorja Miller of New Zealand is tackled by Isabella Nasser of Australia. Getty
“Jorja has incredibly powerful hips, and her ability to swivel makes her tough to tackle,” Walsh explained to Wide World of Sports.
“It’s crucial to have grip strength and proper foot positioning when attempting to stop her. Moreover, we need to prevent any offloads.”
“They’re a formidable team with excellent footwork. It’s going to be challenging, but we’re ready for it and anticipating the battle ahead.”
In other news, the Australian men’s team fell short against world series leaders Argentina during their semi-final clash.
Argentina emerged victorious with a 31-7 win, buoyed by a hat-trick from German Schulz.
Argentina will face France in the men’s final, set for 9.46pm AEDT.
Sam Worthington travelled to the Hong Kong Sevens thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cathay Pacific and The Langham
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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