SWANSEA – Five tries against Namibia ensured Great Britain secured a semi-final spot and bounced back from defeat to Australia at the World University Championship in Swansea.
Christopher Levesley was exceptional again for the hosts as they sealed a clinical 31-5 win over the dangerous Namibians to book a semi-final against the unbeaten French.
The Uniroos had earlier edged Great Britain 19-12 in a nip-and-tuck affair to establish themselves as favourites for the crown.
Tim Anstee raced over early on from turnover ball, but Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Jon Dawe snuck in the corner just before half-time to cap a period of sustained GB pressure.
Brandon Quinn and Thomas James traded scores after the break, but Adrian de Lore’s late try sealed a Uniroos win.
GBR vs AUS
Try-scorer Dawe remained positive in defeat, adamant that his side were fully focussed on their semi-final battle with Pool B winners France. “We are going to look at the semi-final tonight, that is the be all and end all at the moment,” the 23-year-old said. “We are quietly confident, we had a hard week’s training and we have really enjoyed getting to know each other, we have worked hard and just want to perform. To win in a GB shirt would mean a hell of a lot, being able to call yourself a world champion would be a dream come true.”
Australia’s Fred Dorrough though insisted his side had come to Wales for the crown after making it four wins from four with a 28-7 win against the Italians to book a semi-final against Spain. “We are here to win, we haven’t come all this way to lose. We are here to take number one spot, we are just going to keep playing a game at a time,” the 20-year-old Griffith University student said. “We have a big one tomorrow against Spain and we will try and knock that one over.”
GBR vs JPN
Captain Lucy Nye scored twice as the British women put a tough morning behind them and secured a spot in the fifth-sixth final by beating Spain 33-0. They had been caught cold by a lightening-sharp Japanese side, losing 21-0 and then falling 31-5 to the powerful Pool A-topping French.
The Brave Blossoms struck after the hooter to lead 7-0 at the break before their ferocious work at the breakdown and sharp off-loads helped them to dominate the second period.
Despite the defeat, star playmaker – and full Welsh international – Robyn Wilkins has faith her girls will excel in the hunt for fifth. “I think we have got not just the experience, but the confidence and the ability to come back,” she said. “I have faith that the rest of the girls will give it absolutely everything.”
MAS vs NAM
Stars Pam Buisa and Irene Patrinos both grabbed braces as reigning champions Canada laid down a marker with a 36-0 demolition of Australia, they raced into a 24-0 half-time lead before easing to victory after the break. Buisa scored again to edge the Canadians past another exceptional effort from China’s women, securing Pool B top-spot and a semi-final against Japan with a 19-17 win. “Our resilience was really key, we were down but just kept our composure throughout the entire game, that carried us the whole way,” Buisa said.
France women too remain unbeaten and take on Portugal in the other last-four clash.
(Source: WUC Rugby 7s OC)
RESULTS
Full results, day two World University Championship Rugby Sevens 2016
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