image source, ©INPHO/Travis Haight
Ireland Women’s Sevens become the first team from the IRFU Sevens program to win a World Series title.
Ireland Women’s Sevens defeated hosts Australia 19-14 in the final held in Perth, winning the World Series for the first time.
Ireland led 14-7 at half-time with tries from Amy-Lee Murphy-Crowe and Lucy Mulhall, but Australia fought back to equalize shortly after the restart.
Eve Higgins then scored the decisive try in the 13th minute as Ireland persevered and won gold.
They are the first team from the IRFU Sevens program to win a World Series title.
The British women defeated the United States 24-10 to win the bronze medal.
In the men’s competition, Ireland defeated Fiji 24-7 to win the bronze medal.
Alan Temple Jones’ side lost to Australia in their only final appearance in Seville two years ago.
They fell behind the hosts early on in the sweltering Perth heat, with Tegan Levi converting in the second minute and Charlotte Caslick scoring the first try of the game.
Ireland equalized two minutes later through Murphy Crowe, with Mulhall converting for another point.
The captain, who had scored two tries in the 31-7 semi-final win over England, tucked Ireland’s second try under the post and converted from the tee again.
Levi’s breakaway try and subsequent conversion ensured Australia equalized shortly after the restart, but Ireland’s third try was enough to seal the victory.
Beihin Parsons burst forward and substitute Aoibian Reilly found Higgins on the left and evaded a tackle from Isabella Nasser to score.
Mulhall missed the conversion but Ireland held out for victory as they continued their preparations for their first appearance at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
Mulhall said: “This means a lot and we’ve come a long way. This is a huge thing for Irish women’s rugby and we’re definitely going to celebrate.”