U.S. uses 94-yard buzzer-beater to score rugby bronze in massive upset over Australia

Do you believe in miracles?

Team USA’s women’s rugby team pulled off a massive upset of Australia to win the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, and did so in unbelievable fashion.

Trailing 12-7 in the final seconds, Team USA’s Alex “Spiff” Sedrick broke two tackles, absolutely trucking an Australian defender in the process and proceeded to dart 94 yards for a buzzer-beating try.

United States back Alex Sedrick (8) runs with the ball for the game-winning try against Australia in the bronze medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France. Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Sedrick made the conversion kick after the score to cement Team USA’s 14-12 victory, beating the 2016 champion Aussies and winning USA Rugby its first-ever medal in sevens competition.

The victory left prop Sammy Sullivan in tears, while burgeoning star Ilona Maher raised her arms in jubilation — while Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” played over the stadium speakers.

Sedrick, 26, played collegiate rugby at Life University, a school in Georgia that specializes in training chiropractors, and won the MA Sorensen Award as the country’s best rugby player in 2020.

She has been a part of the USA rugby team since 2021, and was part of their gold medal winning team at the Pan American Games in 2023.

The United States celebrates after their win against Australia in the bronze medal match. Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports


2024 PARIS OLYMPICS


Sedrick also scored a try in Team USA’s victory over Brazil earlier in the Olympics.

Tuesday marked the first time the United States had ever medaled in women’s rugby.

The women’s rugby team had become social media darlings even before their bronze medal performance.

States back Alex Sedrick (8) runs with the ball against Australia forward Sharni Smale (2) and back Teagan Levi (5) in the bronze medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France. Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week, retired Eagles offensive lineman Jason Kelce arm-wrestled rugby player Nicole Heavirland, and was spotted having a lighthearted conversation with Maher.

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