USA women’s rugby sevens team made a strong statement with a 12-12 draw with favorites Australia on Sunday, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Jessica Javelet scored a pair of tries, one on a gorgeous, long run down the right, as the U.S. came back from 5-0 to take a 12-5 lead with under three minutes to play.
But the Aussies raced down for a try and added two at the death to share the spoils.
The Yanks had a strong chance to go into half with the lead on Australia, but couldn’t convert from in-tight before the break to keep the U.S. deficit at five.
Emma Tonegato scored the lone first-half try for Australia.