Australia's rugby teams have both moved in sight of a famous weekend double at the Hong Kong Sevens after powering into the semi-finals in the iconic event's first year at the Kai Tak Stadium.
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A hat-trick of tries from the in-form Henry Paterson enabled the men's outfit to crush Great Britain 34-5 in their quarter-final on Saturday, while the youthful women's team, led by an inspired performance from Faith Nathan, enjoyed an equally emphatic 35-5 victory over the US in their last-eight duel.
"We're super happy. We've talked about improving on every performance over the weekend, and while we started slow against New Zealand, every half since we've got better and better," said co-captain Hutchison, who's led from the front with his seemingly never-ending battery life.
After booking their spot in the quarters with a 28-12 win over Uruguay, thanks to tries from Hutchison, Aden Ekanayake, Matt Gonzalez and Maurice Longbottom, coach Liam Barry's side really hit their straps against an outgunned British outfit.
Paterson ignited the victory with the opening try and added another alongside scores from Jayden Blake and James "Jimmy the Jet" Turner as the Aussies went into halftime with a 22-0 lead amid the partying fans at the marquee sevens event's new home.
Paterson eased to his hat-trick in the second half with Henry Hutchison and Longbottom putting the game out of reach in a six-try demolition job to set up a semi-final with World Series leaders Argentina on Sunday.
Despite having Teagan Levi forced to rest with an injured knee, her big sister Maddison Levi continued to inspire the women's team as she went over for two more tries against the US on Saturday, the day after breaking the all-time Australia try-scoring record.
Levi's double took her tally to 191 but the star of the show this time was her fellow rocket woman Nathan, who had a sensational quarter-final, with two brilliant try-scoring breaks in the opening three minutes and a terrific tackle and turnover in the second half.
Kiiahla Duff scored the Aussies' other try in the five-score romp to help set up a semi-final against France on Sunday.
The Australian women had actually found their final group game against Japan more of a struggle as they eked out a 14-10 win with fine individual efforts from Bridget Clark and Nathan enough to send them through.
Australian Associated Press
