Australia dazzle to reach quarter-finals as women's rugby makes Olympic debut
Favourites make strong showing in first day of competition. Sunday's matches will decide pool winners and quarter-final qualifiers.
Charlotte Caslick of Australia runs with the ball to score a try under pressure of Luisa Tisolo of Fiji at Deodoro Stadium on Saturday. (Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers)
Charlotte Casklick scored four tries as Australia lit up the first ever day of women's sevens in the Olympic Games to reach the quarter-finals at Deodoro Stadium.
Caslick touched down three times as Australia, the world series champions, beat Colombia 53-0 in their opening pool A clash then scored another try as her team played open, expansive rugby in a 36-0 win over Fiji in the last game of Saturday (6 August).
With six points from their opening two games in the four-team pool, the Australians, who produced slick handling and accumulated the highest points tally (89) of the 12 teams in the tournament, are guaranteed a place in the last eight as Pool A leaders ahead of the USA, who have four points.
France's Camille Grassineau scored the first try by a woman in Olympic Games history in a 24-7 defeat of Spain in the opening game of the day in pool B. The French went on to beat Kenya 40-7 to reach the last eight. New Zealand top the group on points difference after defeats of Kenya (52-0) and Spain (31-5).
Canada, who spoke of "setting the tone" by dominating their early games, lived up to their talk with a 45-0 defeat of Japan and a 38-0 triumph over Brazill. They lead pool C on points difference from Great Britain, who beat Brazil 29-3 and Japan 40-0.
Sunday's last round of pool matches will decide the quarterfinal ties later in the day. Fiji, who beat USA 12-7 before their defeat by Australia, are the only team ranked third in their pool overnight who can secure automatic progression. The Fijians, who have never won an Olympic medal in any sport, take on Colombia in their last pool A match while Australia will face USA.
The two best third-placed finishers also reach the last eight.
The day will include fascinating ties between some of the likely medal contenders. New Zealand's match with France will decide the winners of pool B, while the winners of pool C will be settled in the match between Great Britain and Canada.
