Greats of ’88 hail watershed Australian triumph in Hong Kong | geerob
It was a victory their coach labelled “courageous more than quality”, but when Australia broke a 34-year title drought at the hallowed Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday, no one cared about the fashion in which they made it rain.
Henry Hutchison, Maurice Longbottom, Henry Paterson, Nick Malouf, Tim Clements, Nathan Lawson, Josh Turner, Dietrich Roache. No household names among them, yet. But an achievement arguably greater than that of the 1988 trailblazers; given the professionalism of the modern game and its Olympic sport status.
“We thought it was never going to happen, every time they seem to get to the quarter-finals and lose,” Campese told theDavid Campese tries to fend Fiji’s Meli Rabonu in the 1988 Hong Kong Sevens.The former Wallabies winger won player of the tournament in 1988 after Australia beat a New Zealand team boasting All Blacks great Zinzan Brooke, 13-12. It was a longstanding tradition to boo Australia whenever they had the ball.
The 2022 Australian side, in contrast, are a self-titled band of “misfits”, unwanted by Super Rugby sides, who have only recently tasted success. Under coach John Manenti, they have found a rich vein of form, embracing an identity as fighters and scrappers, underpinned with superb fitness and attacking pace.They won the 2021-22 world series but, with COVID-19 affecting the field that season, faced questions over the significance of the win.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia break 34-year drought to claim Hong Kong sevensAustralia broke a 34-year hoodoo and took down the giants of men’s sevens, Fiji, with a historic 20-17 upset in Hong Kong | geerob
Read more »
Australia wins historic Hong Kong Sevens titleNot since the late '80s has Australia claimed victory at rugby sevens' most prestigious tournament, but the defending world series champions have finally broken their duck, edging Fiji in the final.
Read more »
Australia triumph at Hong Kong Sevens for the first time in 34 yearsNathan Lawson scores thrilling late winning try while Maurice Longbottom named player of the final against Fiji
Read more »
‘Stuff this’: How an Australian answered a Facebook ad to fight in UkraineRejected by the Ukrainian military, Australian Trevor Kjeldal headed to the frontline in search of a battalion that would take him. Last week he was killed in battle.
Read more »
Australian paramedic recieves US presidential award for 'outstanding' volunteer workFor more than two decades, Australian specialist paramedic Alison Thompson has been volunteering her services in some of the world's most dangerous locations.
Read more »