Tamworth’s John Porch led the Australian men’s sevens side to silver at Singapore on the weekend in what was new coach Tim Walsh’s first tournament in charge.
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Porch assumed the captaincy for the final after acting captain Jesse Parahi was injured in their 15-7 win over England, and played as starring role as the Aussies almost upset Fiji – a 90m effort a minute after full-time from Alosio Sovita Naduva stealing a 28-22 victory.
The Aussies trailed for the entire match, until a spectacular diving effort and freakish one-handed put-down from Porch after sneaking down the short side from just outside the Australian 22, put them one point up with one minute to go.
The former Farrer flyer had earlier delivered the final pass for Maurice Longbottom to score in the corner and narrow the gap to four points at half-time.
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Walsh took over from Andy Friend after the Commonwealth Games a fortnight ago, and said the weekend showed the potential of the side, which looks positive.
"It’s the very early stages and I’m really enjoying it. (I’m) pretty pumped about where this team can go,” Walsh told rugby.com.au.
