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Watch: Aussie youngster Henry Palmer scores with unbelievable finish in Perth
Hometown favourites Australia were already on their way to a win over the United States on Saturday night when Henry Palmer put the icing on the cake with a spectacular finish.
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Playing in front of a vibrant crowd at Perth’s HBF Park, and with the party stand just ahead of him, Palmer remained in the field of play by a matter of inches to complete the score.
USA SVNS veteran Madison Hughes was coming across in defence which left the Australian with plenty of work to do. In the end, Palmer did just enough.
Palmer didn’t seem too sure as he stood up and turned around to face his teammates, but replays told a different story entirely.
What a finish!
Henry Palmer dives for the try line 👌 #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @Aussie7s https://t.co/9bosqOWkdg pic.twitter.com/qQsyRM4tlJ
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 27, 2024
The 20-year-old’s right leg hovered above the sideline, and the other foot stayed inside the field of play as he jotted the ball down. The try was confirmed and the crowd went berserk.
“We practice it a lot but it never simulates what it can feel like in a game,” Palmer told reporters after Australia’s 31-7 win in the Cup quarter-finals.
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“I didn’t feel like I scored it but I looked at the replay and obviously all the practice paid off.”
Australia, who had lost to the United States on day one in pool play, opened the scoring in the fifth minute as captain Nick Malouf ran in for the score.
Nathan Lawson crossed for a brace on either side of half-time which set the hosts up for a big win. But there’s no doubt what the highlight of the night was.
The party stand fell silent, if only for a moment, as the replay of Palmer’s try-scoring effort was shown on the big screen. Then they began to party even louder.
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“When you’re out there, I didn’t realise it was a party zone,” Palmer said while holding Wally the mascot.
“It was almost in slow motion.
“Then when I saw it get confirmed I could hear the stadium erupt. It definitely felt pretty good.”
Ben Dowling scored Australia’s final try in the 13th minute, and Maurice Longbottom added three conversions as the men in gold ran away with a relentlessly dominant victory.
But it doesn’t get any easier for them. Australia will play Fiji in the second men’s Cup semi-final at 1:34 pm local time. Ireland and Argentina will go head-to-head in the other one.
Palmer insisted the Aussies will go into the knockout clash as the “underdogs” but they actually beat Fiji in their last meeting at the Cape Town SVNS last month.
The Aussies will play without fear.
“It means a lot. We didn’t get it the first game,” Palmer mentioned when asked about winning a knockout game on home soil.
“(We) came out today to prove that we can go all the way.
“Fiji, one of the world leaders, and we’re gonna have to go in as underdogs,” he added.
“But as we showed in Cape Town, we can beat anyone on our day.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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