Australia through to Semi Finals but Latham in doubt

Two second-half tries to captain Shawn Mackay helped steer Australia through a tricky Quarter Final of the Commonwealth Games Sevens at the Telstra Dome today.

Australia beat South Africa by 20-14, but the bad news for Australia is that Wallaby star Chris Latham is in doubt for the rest of the tournament after he sustained a rib cartilage injury early in the first half.

Australia scored two tries in the first four minutes but Matt Giteau was unable to convert. So when South Africa's Fabian Juries scored on the stroke of halftime and Mzwandile Stick converted, Australia held a slender 10-7 halftime lead and South Africa's tails were up.

However Mackay had different plans. The big Randwick flanker was playing on the right wing, and showed no signs of the groin injury that nearly ruled him out of the tournament earlier this week.

He scored his first try 40 seconds into the second half, then followed up with a big 60-metre sprint down the sideline, beating the South African cover defence to the corner to make it 20-7.

South Africa's Philip Burger crossed under the posts in the last play of the game to take the final score to 20-14.

Coach Glen Ella said he was happy with the performance.

"The crowd has been fantastic and created a great atmosphere which has really helped lift the team. Tonight is just going to be mind blowing," Ella said.

"We will have to access Chris Latham's injury. He picked it up in the match against England last night so we knew he was going to struggle, but he was really keen to play against South Africa which was great.

"We are now in the position we want to be in."

Australia will play New Zealand in the Semi Finals at 7:28pm this evening, followed by the other Semi Final between Fiji and England.

AUSTRALIA 20 [Shawn Mackay 2, Lote Tuqiri, Cameron Shepherd tries] defeated SOUTH AFRICA 14 [Fabien Juries, Philip Burger tries; Mzwandile Stick 2 cons]

In the other Quarter Finals today:

New Zealand 24 defeated Canada 0

Tamati Ellison and Soseni Anesi scored first half tries for a 12-0 lead. Ellison was in again early in the second half and when Corey Jane added a fourth with a couple of minutes to go, New Zealand had the game in the bag at 24-0. Canada showed they have the structure and ability to compete at the top level, but New Zealand's punishing defence snuffed out their attacking chances and kept them scoreless.

England 17 defeated Samoa 14

England looked to be in control against Samoa after two first half tries gave them a 12-0 lead at the break. However Samoa came storming back into the game and when Simaika Mikaele scored their second try to take a 14-12 lead, the big crowd was baying for an upset. However England remained cool and composed under extreme pressure, and with seconds on the clock Matthew Tait delivered the winning try down the left wing.

Fiji 26 defeated Wales 7

Fiji have been in total control for the whole tournament, and their Quarter Final against Wales was no different. Playing their typical entertaining style of Sevens Rugby, they were simply too classy for a courageous Wales. Sireli Naqelevuki scored two first-half tries, with another try to Jone Daunivuci giving them a 19-0 lead at halftime. Wales kept working hard and were duly rewarded when Rhordi McAtee scored, but a William Ryder try on the death sealed the game for Fiji.

Semi Finals: Friday Night

7:28pm Match 37 New Zealand vs Australia
7:50pm Match 38 England vs Fiji

Related Article:

England escape in two point nail-biter (Thurs Mar 16)

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