SWANSEA – Great Britain men and women lit up Swansea on the opening day of competition at the 7th World University Rugby Sevens Championship as both sides went unbeaten.
St. Mary’s Samir Kharbouch shone as Great Britain’s men – champions in 2012 and 2014 – opened up their title defence with two wins from two.
Kharbouch and Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Christopher Levesley both ran in two tries against the Czech Republic and captain Samuel Pointon also crossed in a ten-try 59-0 win.
GBR vs ITA
A 35-10 win over Italy in their second game meant Pointon, 23, finished the day in high spirits.
“There is a little bit of pressure, but we have brilliant team spirit and the end-game is to win gold, but we’re not getting too ahead of ourselves,” the Loughborough University student said. “The tournament is a great motivation, all the lads want full international honours and it is great to see people like Tom Mitchell come through this pathway.”
Australia ran in nine tries of their own against the Czech Republic for a 57-0 win and turned in another strong performance against Namibia to set up a mouth-watering Pool A clash with hosts Great Britain on day two.
AUS vs NAM
Lesly Klim grabbed a hat-trick as the Namibians sparkled in their 40-12 win over Italy, but came undone against the Aussies and Uniroos vice-captain Michael Adams, 24, feels they have laid down a marker. “We came here because we want to win, anytime you put an Australian jersey on you want to win. Today we have proved we are a definite contender,” the University of Sydney star said.
France are unbeaten in Pool B after easing past Malaysia and Spain, while the Spanish are still in the hunt for a semi-final spot after defeating Argentina 14-12.
Lucy Nye’s Great Britain women edged Italy 12-0 in a tight opening encounter as Hartpury College flyer Kelly Smith showed all her pace and guile to run in two tries.
Champions in 2012, the hosts are aiming to dethrone holders Canada on home soil and Smith’s Hartpury teammate Hannah Jones’ two tries boosted their hopes in a 27-7 win over New Zealand.
MAS vs FRA
Captain Nye finished the day full of confidence ahead of tomorrow’s crunch clash with the unbeaten France. “You wouldn’t come into this tournament at this level and not be hoping to win,” the 20-year-old Loughborough University scrum-half said. “Our team is really strong, girls like Robyn Wilkins and Hannah Jones are playing really well, Kelly is absolute gas.”
Surprise package China then dominated Australia Women 10-0 to cap an excellent day after edging out Spain 15-7. And their coach Jia Wen Pei was ecstatic with the way her side performed. “Our side is very young, and we have many injured players, so to win today shows that we have worked very hard and played a great game,” she explained.
CAN vs ESP
Defending women’s champions Canada squeaked through their opening game 14-12 with Portugal missing a last-gasp conversion that would have secured a draw before turning on the style to beat Spain 17-5.
The 2016 World University Championships for Rugby Sevens are being held in Swansea, Wales from the 6 – 9 July and are jointly hosted by Swansea University and British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).
(Source: WUC Rugby 7s OC)
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