The Aussie women sevens team suffered a brutal, visceral gut punch when United States’ Alex Sedrick broke through two tackles and roared 80 metres for the try that left the Aussies without a medal in Paris.
But a potentially more significant moment arrived after the game – one which further heaps pressure on the Aussies as they pick up the pieces and make the long journey towards to the next Games, in Los Angeles.
American businesswoman Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and London City Lionesses women’s football clubs, announced she will invest $US 4 million ($A6m) into the USA women’s program after their first-ever Olympic medal in sevens.
Along with the 70,000-plus crowds, and Antoine Dupont’s brilliance to lead France to the men’s gold, rugby sevens appears in better shape than ever before to make a step up in the sporting consciousness. As hard as the fourth-place finish for the Aussie women hits today, and they matched the men’s result, the long term health of the sport just got a massive boost.
Australia came into the tournament in the top two favourites with New Zealand. Former Wallaby Michael Hooper got a harsh lesson in the concept of commentator’s curse with Monday’s call that the Aussies would navigate the semifinal against Canada and meet New Zealand in the final.
“Well, we all we made some pretty bold claims yesterday,” joked Hooper on Stan Sport’s Paris Daily, although his co-host Morgan Turinui was eager to distance himself, having warned Hoops a day earlier about going the early crow.
Instead, the Aussies fell to a defeat against the Canadians and then were stunned by the United States, despite good starts to both games.
Kang’s largesse could be a game changer for the sport.
“Everyone that’s probably been in the US during the Olympics is aware it is the biggest thing ever. It’s huge in America,” said Turinui.
“They are now the sleeping giant that’s been awoken and Canada as part of the Americas as well. There’s a gap in women’s contact sport in America, so it’s ripe for it.
“Every time there’s been Olympics, everyone’s gotten better. It’s going to get harder and harder.”
Hooper added: “Money just brings talent. Money brings the best people into the game in general, the best coaches, the best players. So we’re going to see a real big lift in the women’s game.”
Rio gold medallist Alicia Lucas said the US win would transform the sport.
Tia Hinds looks dejected following defeat during the Women’s Rugby Sevens Semifinal match between Canada and Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“That was broadcast to the USA, they finally got their heads out of the sand,” Lucas said.
“Their hope now is to change that bronze medal into an Olympic gold, so that is just going to transcend all across this sport.
“The impact on the game globally is incredible and as a past player, fan, ambassador of the sport, there’s nothing more than you want than eyes on the game, bums on the seat, young boys and girls inspired by the game. Although it’s a heartache for Australia, what this has done globally is incredible.”
For Australia’s shattered players, four years will seem a long way off and the boost to the sport if it comes will be cold comfort.
Sharni Smale, whose Olympic run came to an end, said she was considering playing for the Wallaroos again – and there are hopes that some of her teammates such as Maddi and Teagan Levi and Charlotte Caslick will boost the XVs squad in the short term at least.
First they must process what went wrong in Paris, after relatively serene progress through the opening rounds turned into a trainwreck.
“They had two amazing days of play. They were, I thought, the best in the tournament to date,” said Hooper. “Morgs thought New Zealand, which was fair enough as well. It was going to be those two in the final but as we see often with sport, not to be.”
Teagan Levi and Maddison Levi are comforted by members of the crowd. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Turinui added: “One thing we have to look at is the volatility of sevens and we saw that on show in both of Australia’s games. The USA, I just thought they were very physical and played the right kind of match against Australia, putting Australia under pressure.”
Lucas said she cried over both losses.
“It was a really tough day, bit of a basketcase of emotions I feel at the minute,” she told Stan Sport.
“I stood in utter disbelief watching what unfolded at Stade de France, tears streaming down the face twice today, but no one’s heart aches more than those Aussie girls.
“The disappointment that they’re feeling for themselves right now, that’s why my heart aches for them.
“There’s the human element, that we are just proud of them and that we absolutely love them and want to wrap our arms around them and support them because they are first and foremost incredible human beings and they are fantastic rugby players and today just wasn’t their day.
“I think they went into that tournament with the weight of the whole country on them and rightly so, they’ve been so dominant throughout the series, they’re such a strong side, they put that out there themselves, they were going to strive and reach gold.
“Australians love to ride the highs, the heartbreak, the underdog stories and we were just on the other side of the coin today.”
