Australia’s women’s sevens side will have to do it the hard way after a shock loss to the USA on Friday morning in their final pool match at Tokyo Stadium.
John Manenti’s side “bombed” a 12-0 lead, as the big, powerful Americans starved Australia of possession in the second half.
The sight of seeing Charlotte Caslick – the queen of sevens rugby and one of the faces of women’s sport in Australia – drop the ball that led to the USA’s match-winning try summed up the horror second half.
Australia will now face Fiji – who knocked the men out of the competition three days earlier at the same point – in a difficult quarter-final.
While Australia are the favourites, even if they progress a date with gold medal favourites New Zealand, who they beat five years ago in Rio to win the competition, looms in the semi-finals.
“We’re obviously disappointed,” Manenti said.
“We…
