Australia coach Geraint John hopes to soothe memory of 1985 Cup final defeat

Australia coach Geraint John knows what it’s like to reach a Hong Kong Sevens final and lose. Now he wants to be on the winning side.

Thirty years ago John was part of the Public Schools Wanderers team who were beaten in the final by a star-studded Australia team featuring the likes of David Campese.

Back before New Zealand joined the party, Australia were Fiji’s main rivals in international sevens rugby. These days, however, they are trying to keep up with the Kiwis, Fiji and South Africa, but John hopes for a quick return to the good times.

“I keep being reminded of it,” the Welshman, who coached Canada for nine years, said of his 1985 Cup final defeat.

“My first-ever experience of Hong Kong was when we lost in the final to Australia. I’m hoping that 30 years on from there, as coach of Australia, we can get to the final and win it.”

Australia defeated Portugal 33-5 in their opening pool B match on Friday and face Scotland and New Zealand in their remaining group games on Saturday.

The Aussies currently sit fourth in this season’s World Series standings and John admits rugby officials in Australia are starting to take sevens more seriously given the code’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.