Aust women ready to defend Dubai 7s crown

Thursday, 29 November 2018:

SHARNI WILLIAMS of Australia carries the ball during the Women's rugby match against the United States on Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
SHARNI WILLIAMS of Australia carries the ball during the Women's rugby match against the United States on Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.


Defending champions Australia, one of only two teams to have won the women's rugby sevens title in Dubai, have been drawn against England, USA and new core team China in their pool B at this year's tournament.

The women's competition kicks off on day one on Thursday with the pool C clash between Canada and France in a repeat of the bronze final at the series opening USA Sevens in Glendale, Colorado, last month, where Canada won 28-0.

Series leaders New Zealand will face Ireland, Russia and invitational side Kenya in Pool A.

Australia head into round two in Dubai in fifth place after missing the semi-finals in Colorado.

Australia captain Sharni Williams said: "We have come in with some pretty high spirits. Off the back of Colorado, we needed to look at ourselves in the mirror and think about what we need to improve on and achieve at this tournament.

"It's a tournament that gets us up no matter what. We have been here a number of times and we have been pretty successful here, we want to keep that rolling, we've got a lot of pride on the line."

The men's tournament starts on Friday with Australia in a group of Japan, England and Canada in Pool D while New Zealand are up against USA, Spain and Wales in Pool C.






AAP






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