USA Stuns Australia with Last-Second Try to Secure Bronze in Women's Rugby

 

The American women aimed to play spoilers against Australia's high-paced offense in the bronze medal match. Entering the game, the U.S. team was already guaranteed their best finish at an Olympic rugby tournament, having finished sixth in Tokyo and fifth in Rio. They seized the opportunity with a dramatic last-second upset, winning 14-12 over Australia to claim the bronze medal.

The match's decisive moment came on the final play when Alex Sedrick stiff-armed her way past Australia's defense, sprinting most of the field and scoring a game-tying try in the center. Under immense pressure, she then converted her own kick to seal the victory for the Americans.

Early in the first half, Maddison Levi continued her impressive performance, scoring her 13th try of the Paris Games to give Australia a 7-0 lead, the most tries scored in a single Olympic Games. Ilona Maher led a strong run for the Americans midway through the first half, but the U.S. team was slowed near the try line. They were executing a textbook phase play when Teagan Levi was carded for a high tackle.

With a man advantage, the Americans had several scoring opportunities. The best came from a near try by Kayla Canett, but Faith Nathan tackled her into touch, saving the try. On the restart, Canett redeemed herself with a powerful tackle in the try zone, winning the ball back for the United States. From the ensuing scrum, three-time Olympian Alev Kelter powered through Australia's defense to score. She converted her own try to even the score at 7, which remained until halftime.

Australia threatened at the start of the second half with a dangerous run by Maddison Levi, but Sariah Paki knocked the ball on while receiving a pass in the try zone.

The American defense managed to slow Australia's potent offense throughout most of the second half. Despite their defensive efforts, a scrum penalty handed the ball to Australia with less than 90 seconds to play, and the Levi sisters capitalized, with Maddison crossing the try line for her 14th try of the tournament.

On the ensuing kickoff, Australia made a bold decision to kick deep. Ariana Ramsey set up Sedrick to receive the ball deep in American territory. The Olympic newcomer did the rest, stiff-arming Teagan Levi and running the length of the field to tie the match. Sedrick then converted her own try from underneath the post, giving the Americans a 14-12 win in the bronze medal match.

The Americans achieved an improbable comeback, earning the first medal of any kind in men's or women's rugby sevens for the U.S. It is also the first rugby medal (15s or 7s) for the U.S. since the men's team won gold in 1924. With this victory, head coach Emilie Bydwell became the first female rugby head coach to lead a team to a medal of any kind.