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England’s second real chance came from Gloucester’s Mark Foster (playing in only his second IRB Sevens tournament), but he was also intercepted leading to another try for Australia (Corey Niwa).
Australia led 12 0 at the break. Australia got possession early in the second half and once again managed to convert it into a score with Andy Rasmus getting the try this time. England now trailed by 19 points to none and it was down to the experience and speed of Redruth and Gloucester’s Rob Thirlby to help reduce the gap. He scored England’s first try but by now there were just four minutes left.
Nils Mordt almost scored another for England and was unlucky not to, but as the hooter went Thirlby scored his second of the match to bring England to within five points of the winners.
Speaking after the game, England Sevens captain Simon Amor (Gloucester) was disappointed, “This is a tough tournament – as they all are, and today was particularly tough for us. We have learnt some harsh lessons today and definitely need to pick up our game for tomorrow.”
England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan said, “We only lost by five points so it isn’t that we are doing things drastically wrong. The game didn’t go our way but that’s not an excuse. Before the Australia match we did everything right, and had been playing better than our opposition. Australia had lost to Kenya who we had beaten quite comfortably but Australia always raise their game when they play England. We made too hard work of it and weren’t patient enough, especially at the beginning of the match. We are also quite simply not winning the ball enough in contact and must change that by tomorrow.”
England face New Zealand in the quarter finals tomorrow morning at 11.50 (19.50 GMT) Sunday.
England –
Tries: Thirlby (2)
Conversions: Amor (2)
Australia -
Tries: Cummins, Niwa, Rasmus
Conversions: Niwa (2)
England: Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Danny Gray (Bristol Rugby), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester), Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Dominic Shabbo (London Irish), Mark Foster (Gloucester)
Reps: Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), John Brake (Northampton Saints), Nils Mordt (London Irish),
Not used: David Smith (Northampton Saints), Anthony Roques (Exeter Chiefs)
Australia: From – Andy Rasmus, Anthony Sauer, Josh Gamgee, Luke Milton, Nick Cummins, Tim Atkinson, Tom Cornforth, Tom Couper, Corey Niwa, Elia Tiqiri, David Harvey, Luke Johnson
Referee: M Stanish (NZ)
Earlier....
Saturday 10th February 2007
England make it tough for themselves but beat the hosts in USA Sevens
England 26
USA 10
The score line was perhaps misleading as England were made to work hard for their victory over home side USA in their second pool game in San Diego. England scored four tries to the Eagles two but their defence was stretched in parts of the game.
The growing crowd inside Petco Park in downtown San Diego loudly cheered for the hosts but England took the upper hand early on in the game with a try for captain Simon Amor (London Wasps). The try was set up by 18 year old David Brake from Northampton Saints who was making his England Sevens debut, and was unlucky not to quite touch down himself.
Another youngster was next on the score sheet as 20 year old Charlie Amesbury from NEC Harlequins managed to hold off and score despite an American practically hanging from his neck.
England’s defence then slipped a little and McNaughton scored for the USA with some messy defence work from England. USA retained possession and looked as if they would score again before Amesbury put in a great tackle to stop their attack. However, the determined home side continued to attack and Stanford made it through England’s defence to cross the try line, taking them to within four points of England at half time.
In the second half England struggled to get early possession but when they did finally get ball in hand they looked much more impressive. Amesbury scored his second of the match before being substituted off for Mark Foster (Gloucester).
USA's Jason Pye showed great speed with a thrilling break and looked certain to score but he was caught by the equally quick Simon Amor. A similarly impressive run by England’s Mark Foster failed to materialise into a try, but England’s attacking form had improved. In the final moments of the game Amor scored again, successfully converting his own try to give England a 26 10 final score.
Speaking after the game England Sevens Assistant Coach Phil Greening said, “Our defence was really stretched and we underperformed. That display just wasn’t up to scratch for England although when we did have ball in hand we were good.”
England –
Tries: Amor (2), Amesbury (2)
Conversions: Amor (3)
USA -
Tries: McNaughton, Stanford
England: Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), John Brake (Northampton Saints) Danny Gray (Bristol Rugby), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Nils Mordt (London Irish), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester), Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks)
Reps: Mark Foster (Gloucester)
Not used: Dominic Shabbo (London Irish), David Smith (Northampton Saints), Anthony Roques (Exeter Chiefs),
USA: From – Todd Clever, Jason Pye, Jone Naqica, Riaan Hamilton, Mike Palefau, Dallen Stanford, Takadzwa Ngwenya, James Gillenwater, Jarvis Albury, Andrew McNaughton, Justin Hundley, Tui Osborne
Referee: T. Hirabayashi (JAP)
Ends.
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