UQ wins Uni 7s season opener

The University of Queensland has enjoyed a golden start to the 2019 Aon Uni 7s Series, winning the opening round at the UQ Sport Athletics Centre. 

UQ dominated its home event, winning all six of its matches to remain unbeaten for the tournament.

Team UQ defeated University of New England (24-7), The University of Western Australia (28-7), University of Canberra (36-0), and University of Technology Sydney (24-5) in the pool stages.

UQ – one of four unbeaten teams after the opening day – then beat The University of Sydney (10-5) in the semi-final to set up a rematch with series newcomers UTS in the gold medal match.

Holland international Pleuni Kievit crossed for two tries in the Grand Final, while Georgia Hannaway, who celebrated her 50^th Uni 7s match at the tournament, scored to complete a 21-17 victory.

Australian Women’s Sevens player Cassie Staples said UQ was confident of building on its gold medal-winning performance through the season.

“The results speak for themselves,” Staples said.

“We won all of our games which is awesome, but like anything, we can always grow and get better.  

“As much as we are proud of our performance, there is room for improvement as there are three tournaments left in the series.”

Staples led UQ’s scoring with seven tries across the two-day tournament.

The 27-year-old said the standard of play had improved greatly since the Uni 7s Series debuted in 2017.

“The competition has grown so much in the past two years and all the teams have the potential to be top four contenders.

“As the series goes on I think everyone will improve by the end.”

Round 2 will be held at Bond University’s Gold Coast campus on 28-29 September.

2019 Aon Uni 7s Series - Round 1 Results

Pool B:

UQ dft. University of New England (24-7)

UQ dft. The University of Western Australia (28-7)

UQ dft. University of Canberra (36-0)

UQ dft. University of Technology Sydney (24-5)

Semi-Final: UQ dft. The University of Sydney (10-5)

Gold Medal Match: UQ dft. University of Technology Sydney (21-17)

Series Standings

1) The University of Queensland (20 points)
2) University of Technology Sydney (18 points)
3) The University of Sydney (16 points)
4) Griffith University (14 points)
5) The University of Adelaide (12 points)
6) The University of Melbourne (10 points)
7) University of Canberra (8 points)
8) University of New England (6 points)
9) Bond University (4 points)
10) The University of Western Australia (2 points)

2019 Aon Uni 7s Series – Fixtures

Round 2 – Bond University, Gold Coast (28-29 September)
Round 3 – The University of Adelaide, Adelaide (12-13 October)
Round 4 – University of Canberra, Canberra (26-27 October)

Media: Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752; Reg Tayler, UQ Rugby Football Club, regtayler@uqrugbyclub.com, 0407 302 911.