James Davies has admitted he feared he had blown his chances of an Olympic medal in Rio.
The Scarlets’ Sevens specialist – a key player for Great Britain as they prepare for their semi-final against South Africa on Thursday – gave away a penalty in the last seconds of normal time against Argentina.
Davies – known as ‘Cubby’, as the younger brother of Wales centre Jonathan ‘Fox’ Davies – was sent to the sin bin, but the penalty sailed wide and the score remained 0-0.
In extra-time, GB grabbed the victory and semi-final spot after a try by Dan Bibby.
“I’m just relieved,” Davies said after the match. “When I got a yellow I was thinking: ‘what have I done?’
“I was sitting on the sidelines and I gave my first prayer. I’m not too keen on this high tackle rule. There have been too many during this tournament.
“But that is a huge win. The boys showed some serious character there. I’m just buzzing. My knees are weak.
“I didn’t say much to Dan at the end. I just lifted him up. He showed a lot of bottle to score that try. Conditions were tricky. How often do you see a 0-0? We’re just happy to get over the line with a win.”
Davies has been one of Britain’s best players in the tournament so far, with his speed at the breakdown and turnover ability proving a real asset.
His performances have re-ignited the debate over whether his skills should now be utilised by Wales coach Warren Gatland, who overlooked Davies for the recent tour of New Zealand.
Bibby admitted the win over the Pumas was an extraordinary game to be involved in.
He said: “I’ve played for three or four years and never have I been in a 0-0 draw at full-time, especially with two missed kicks. It was absolutely amazing. Fair play to Argentina but we kept our composure.
“That GB spirit was on show. We’ve only been together 10 weeks but we fight for each other in those crucial moments, no matter what country you’re from, England, Scotland or Wales, the boys were working hard for each other. That’s what a true team is about.
“For people watching all round the world if they didn’t know what Sevens was about before this, they do now.”
And now it’s South Africa on Thursday in the semi-final. “We just need to rest and recover and then come out swinging tomorrow.”
