There was heartbreak for the Australian womens sevens side after losing to New Zealand in extra-time in the Commonwealth Games gold medal match but even more so for Cassie Staples who kicked the ball out thinking her side had won in regulation.
Australia came back from 12-0 down at halftime to lock the scores up at 12-12 in the closing stages with a conversion close to the posts. However Aussie player Emma Sykes missed the conversion which would have given the hosts a 14-12 lead.
Teammate Staples must have assumed the kick went over, or was given the wrong instructions from a teammate, because when Australia stole possession from New Zealand with time up on the clock she decided to kick the ball out instead of launch an attack.
The look on her face said it all as she realised her mistake and that the match would go to extra-time. In a thrilling extra stanza, New Zealand secured the victory when Kelly Brazier scored a 80m try.
