Ireland women win historic first gold in Perth after World Rugby Sevens Series win over Australia

Ireland emerged victorious when Eve Higgins pounced for a decisive 13th-minute try in the final against the Aussies.

The achievement comes after Ireland men's Sevens team secured the bronze medal by beating Fiji 24-7.

Allan Temple-Jones’ side gained revenge after losing against Australia in their only previous cup final appearance in Seville two years ago.

“Playing Australia in Australia is an unbelievable opportunity for the girls,” he said. “We’re extremely chuffed, lost for words.

"We’ve had a good focus these last two weeks. We had a lot to improve on after Dubai and Cape Town – unreal.”

Jubilant captain Lucy Mulhall said the win had been “a long time coming”.

“It means a lot and we’ve been on a long journey. This is massive for women’s Irish rugby; we’ll be sure to celebrate."

Stalwarts Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Mulhall both touched down during the first half.

Mulhall had impressed with two tries during a 31-7 semi-final defeat of Great Britain in sweltering conditions.

In the final, she capitalised on Charlotte Caslick's sin-binning to squeeze in under the posts just before half-time.

However, Ireland's 14-7 interval lead was wiped out when Teagan Levi evaded a diving tackle from Higgins for a breakaway ninth-minute effort, yet Mulhall, the HSBC player of the final, and her team-mates brilliantly held their nerve in a tense end-game.

Béibhinn Parsons charged forward before replacement Aoibheann Reilly found Higgins on the left wing and she evaded Isabella Nasser’s tackle to score.

Mulhall missed the conversion, but Ireland closed out victory as they build towards their maiden appearance at the Olympics in Paris this summer.

The 2024 SVNS Series continues in February and March with a double-header in Vancouver and Los Angeles.