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Cape Town SVNS day one recap
By Josh Raisey
Australia women look on course to win back-to-back titles after impressing on day one of the HSBC SVNS Cape Town.
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The Dubai SVNS champions dominated on day one, only conceding one try and scoring a combined 120 points at the Cape Town Stadium. They are one of three unbeaten sides in the women’s draw, alongside New Zealand and France.
Those three progress to the quarter-finals tomorrow as pool winners, with Fiji, the USA and Ireland all coming second. The final two quarter-final berths go to Great Britain and Canada, who were the best third-place finishers.
Ireland continued to show what a force they are on the men’s tour, finishing the day as the only unbeaten side. That included statement victory against hosts and last week’s Dubai champions South Africa in the final match of the day. Ireland exhibited some resilient defence in their 14-12 win and topped Pool A with their win.
Ireland progress with pool winners with Fiji and Australia, this is despite the latter heavily losing 35-5 to New Zealand earlier in the day, which included a first-half hat-trick to Leroy Carter.
Losses to Canada and Samoa meant New Zealand could only manage a third-place finish in their pool, but that was still enough to make it to the quarter-finals due to a superior points difference to Great Britain.
South Africa, Argentina and Canada all finished runners-up in their pools and will progress to the quarter-finals tomorrow, with France, who started the day with a last gasp penalty win against Fiji, taking the other spot for third-place finishers.
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Australia women look destined for another title, while the men’s tournament is far tougher to call tomorrow.
Women’s quarter-final fixtures
Great Britain vs USA
Australia vs Ireland
France vs Fiji
New Zealand vs Canada
Men’s quarter-final fixtures
Argentina vs Canada
Ireland vs New Zealand
Australia vs South Africa
Fiji vs France
Latest Comments
The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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