PERTH: Australia’s Perth Sevens campaign is on a knife edge after the men’s team let a 14-0 lead slip in a heartbreaking golden point loss to the United States on Friday.
After a scoreless first half in their opening pool game, tries to Maurice Longbottom and Dietrich Roache had the home fans humming at a sun drenched HBF Park.
But the venerable US star Perry Baker – at 37-years-old – lived up to his ‘Speed Stick’ nickname with two late tries to force golden point.
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And the Americans handled the occasion better, constructing an excellent try to Malacchi Esdale for a 19-14 win as the men in gold slumped to the surface in disbelief.
It ramps up the pressure on Australia in their second pool game against Great Britain (Saturday 12.13am kickoff AEST).
“It was a real dog fight out there,” Longbottom said.
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“I was pretty proud of the boys’ efforts to stay in the fight. A bit disappointing in the end. We went away from the things that were working. We have to go back, have hard conversations in the huddle and then we’ll come back out tonight.
“We just went to sleep and went away from things that were working… we know what Perry’s got, we know how he’s going to play. We know his speed and we just gave him too much space and he hurt us… you just have to park it.
“Move onto the next and worry about GB and unlucky for GB. They’re going to face us tonight and we’re going to come out firing and put them to the absolute sword.”
Meanwhile, it was smooth sailing for Australia’s classy women’s team, who outclassed South Africa 31-0 in their opening game.
Bienne Terita scored a double as the Aussies picked up where they left off in tournament wins in Dubai and Cape Town.
“There definitely is pressure,” Terita said.
“I think we saw that last year at Sydney Sevens (finishing fifth), but I think this tournament I’m really trying to stay focused on a performance bubble, we like to call it.
“So just trying to block it all out and just stay focused on our job really.”
The women also play Great Britain in their second pool game, kicking off at 11.27pm AEST on Friday.
