Moustachioed Aussie gun destroys Great Britain as men and women reach Hong Kong Sevens semi-finals
Updated . First published
HONG KONG: Australia's underrated men's side have stormed into the Hong Kong Sevens semi-finals with a 34-5 demolition of Great Britain in the quarter-finals on Saturday night.
The Aussies will now take on tournament favourites Argentina in the semi-finals on Sunday (5pm AEDT) with plenty of self-belief.
The magnificently moustachioed Henry Paterson was again outstanding, scoring a hat-trick as he rampaged down the wing at an increasingly raucous Kai Tak Stadium.
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Henry Paterson of Australia runs with the ball. Getty
"We know we're deadly when we've got the ball, so we just want to put the defence under pressure," Paterson said.
"The atmosphere here is electric. I think the new stadium is unbelievable. We have the confidence and the belief that we can beat anyone.
"I think that's what we're trying to drill into these young boys, that when we are playing our best footy, we are world-class and we're a top two, top four team, we should be playing in those last games on Sunday."
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The men advanced to the semi-finals thanks to a clinical 28-12 win over Uruguay earlier on Saturday.
Aden Ekanayake, Matthew Gonzalez, Henry Hutchison and Maurice Longbottom scored tries, who went 2-1 in pool play after losing to New Zealand and beating South Africa on Friday.
"We regrouped, we've got a young squad here and just trying to keep that belief in the team," Longbottom told Wide World of Sports, admitting that the team had a strange habit of playing better after an opening loss.
Matthew Gonzalez of Australia in action. Getty
"We could have made it easier by winning the first game yesterday, but when things don't go to plan, you just bite down the mouth guard and keep turning up and that's what we've done."
Longbottom is one of five Aussie survivors from the 2022 side that lifted the trophy at the old Hong Kong Stadium.
"This is the home of sevens, really, isn't it? Everyone always wants to win a Hong Kong Sevens and to have one of those under the belt, I think it's amazing on the resume. I'm lucky enough to have one of those."
Australia's women are also through to the semis after belting the United States 35-5 in the quarters.
Maddison Levi was at it again with two tries while Faith Nathan also scored a double.
The women will play France on Sunday (4.37pm AEDT) while New Zealand and Canada will square off in the other semi.
Earlier on Saturday, Australia's women survived a scare to beat Japan 14-10 and go 3-0 in pool play.
Sam Worthington travelled to the Hong Kong Sevens thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cathay Pacific and The Langham
