IRELAND’S MEN AND Women will need to win on Saturday morning to guarantee their place in the quarter-finals of the HSBC Sevens in Singapore.
Tries from Mark Roche, Gavin Mullin and Chay Mullins helped the men to a 19-5 win over Great Britain in their Pool C opener early on Friday.
But James Topping’s side were rocked in their second game by a quickfire double from the United States of America, who ran in tries either side of the half-time hooter to clinch a 10-7 win.
A win against Fiji on Saturday morning (6.37am Irish time) would see Ireland safely through to the last eight, as they look to improve on second place in the overall standings and topple series leaders Argentina ahead of the Grand Final in Madrid later this month.
In the women’s tournament, Vicki Elmes Kinlan’s first-half try proved to be the only score of Ireland’s 5-0 win against Canada in their opener.
One score is enough for Ireland to clinch the win over Canada ☘️#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP pic.twitter.com/DRYGsRHgPn
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) May 3, 2024
In their second game of the day, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s 250th career try was the highlight of a 31-12 win for New Zealand, a result which leaves Ireland third in Pool A ahead of their meeting with winless Spain on Saturday morning (4.44am Irish time).
"Greatest try scorer we've ever seen"@PortiaWoodman scores her 250th #HSBCSVNS try 😮#HSBCSVNSSGP | @nz_sevens pic.twitter.com/uWQUIEOJRW
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) May 3, 2024
I really thought he was going to be our x factor going into the 2019 World Cup. He could create something out of nothing like Habana or Robinson would have done. When he apologised for dropping the ball over the line against Leinster, I thought, Don’t do that man never apologise for a mistake and he’s never been right since. Biggest shame in Irish rugby I reckon.
@James Murphy: ah look what he’s good at he’s the very best, it’s the weakness in his game he never fixed. There’s plenty of bigger shames in irish rugby Nevin Spence for one or on the pitch losing Dan leavy to injury was awful too.
He definitely has all the tools to be a world class winger but probably needs to work on certain aspects of his game to put him in the elite bracket.hopefully he can push on from here and challenge for the Irish jersey
@M.chase: He’s 28 and peaked in 2018. Despite exaggerated reports of a return to form, he is nowhere near his Grand Slam and November 2018 form. That wasn’t last season or the year before. He might have been World Class in 2018 but he isn’t now and never going to be again. Far too much time has passed. He might win the odd cap here and there but he’s absolutely done as a top level international winger.
@Andrew Martin Farrell: Go on Andrew ya bollix
@Shane: He’s right I’m afraid
@Shane: no wonder he gave up social media.
@Philip Casserly: if a lie is repeated often enough it gets taken for the truth. No way is Stockdale finished, one of the top try scorers in the league esp when Ulster haven’t been playing through their backs last 2 seasons. Has been very good this season. Some people just prefer to regurgitate a lie than actally watch the player.
@Kingshu: his biggest issue was always his defence. He seems to be caught between should he melt someone or stay out and cover the pass, really good players read this and punish him. Ball in hand he’s better than everyone else, he just needs to make decisions quicker and back the call.
Irelands attempt to move him to fullback and all the negative commentary that brought, really impacted him. Add in a few injuries and it stalled his career. Farrell remained interested in him with good reason. Hopefully with Murphy encouraging him to roam more. He will get back to the levels he reached previously abd beyond. His form in the last 18 months would suggest that is possible.
he had one good season. which makes me belief that was an exception and not the norm.
@Niall English: that’s absolute rubbish. One good season??? You haven’t a clue if you really think that