Australia’s rugby sevens gold medal defence is over after the women were stunned 14-12 by Fiji in the quarter-finals tonight.
The Aussies were warm favourites leading into the match but Fiji followed in the footsteps of their male counterparts who won Olympic gold on Wednesday night.
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In stormy conditions at Tokyo Stadium, Australia were rattled right from the kick-off and trailed 14-5 at halftime – despite Fiji losing a player for a yellow card.
Star Charlotte Caslick scored a runaway try with 45 seconds to play but Fiji were able to run out the clock and leave the golden girls shattered.
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Fiji will play New Zealand in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
Alowesi Nakoci and Ana Maria Naimasi scored tries for Fiji, skinning Caslick and Madison Ashby respectively.
Fiji were reduced to six players after a yellow card to Vasiti Solikoviti and Faith Nathan capitalised to score Australia’s first points.
But the Aussies continued to make basic mistakes and their miserable night was summed up by Maddison Levi dropping a simple pass late in the second half.
While undoubtedly an upset, Australia had been wobbly in Tokyo, losing 14-12 to the United States in group play.
In what proved to be an ominous storm warning, the quarter-final was delayed for half an hour after lightning near the stadium.
In the other quarter-finals, New Zealand outclassed the Russian Olympic Committee 36-0 and Great Britain downed the United States 21-12.
France are playing China in the last quarter-final.
MORE TO COME…
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