Paris Olympics: Kookaburras into hockey quarterfinal, Opals rebound against Canada, Gangurrus beat Team USA in 3×3

Australia’s men’s hockey team has booked themselves a quarterfinal berth after hammering New Zealand in Paris.

The Opals nabbed their first win of the Paris Olympics, taking down Canada to rebound from an opening loss to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the women’s 3×3 basketball team condemned defending Olympic champions Team USA to their third successive defeat.

Catch up on all of Australia’s team sport results from day six of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Click below to be taken straight to the sport you want to read about.

Kookaburras score five to run over trans-Tasman rivals

Tom Wickham and Blake Govers have dazzled as Australia confirmed an early end to New Zealand’s Olympic men’s hockey campaign in Paris.

The Kookaburras’ 5-0 win in Paris on Thursday was a timely return to goal-scoring form and improved their startling head-to-head record to 35 wins and one draw from their last 38 clashes since Rio’s 2016 Games.

It was a fourth straight Games loss for the Black Sticks, while Tokyo silver medallists Australia improved to 3-1 to secure a quarterfinal passage ahead of a final pool game against India on Friday.

Forward Wickham was heavily involved, while strike partner Govers’s hat-trick made it a tournament-high six goals and 26 in Tests against the trans-Tasman rivals.

New Zealand had their share of possession and opportunity but could not crack the Australian defence, the loss ruling them out of progression with one pool game still to play.

Wickham was everywhere for Australia, somehow contorting his body to dodge an Aran Zalewski strike on goal but still get a touch to hand Australia the opener.

Three minutes later, his deflection from a Tom Craig pass hit the post, Govers whipping the rebound into the net for a 2-0 lead.

Wickham then showed superb skill to weave along the baseline, Ky Willett accepting a goal on a platter, before Govers slotted two final-quarter drag flicks to swell the lead.

The goal-fest was timely after two circumspect victories and a 6-2 loss to Belgium in Tuesday’s Tokyo gold medal rematch.

Australian flag-bearer Eddie Ockenden, in game number 449, appeared to brush off a heavy collision, returning to the field in the second half.

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Opals take down Canada as Sami Whitcomb finds her range

The Opals have nabbed their first win of the Games, beating Canada 70-65 to rebound from a disappointing loss to Nigeria in their opener.

Sami Whitcomb shook off an abysmal shooting night to kick off the women’s basketball campaign, when she hit just 3/12 three-pointers in the 75-62 loss to Nigeria, scoring 19 against Canada on 7/10 shooting from the field.

She also had 10 assists and five rebounds, while Cayla George’s bench cameo of 11 points, including 3/4 from deep, proved pivotal in Lille.

She hit a three-pointer with her first touch and earned an offensive foul on the next play to swing momentum her team’s way.

Another three-pointer and a crucial deflection that led to a turnover allbut iced the contest before she fouled out in the final seconds.

The Opals face hosts France in their final group game on August 5 at 5am AEST.

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Gangurrus sink China and Team USA in 3×3

The Gangurrus came into the eight-nation women’s 3×3 as the lowest-ranked team at the Paris Olympics.

But the Australians have three wins from their opening four matches, including two wins on day six.

Australia began the day with a 21-15 win over China, and then backed it up with victory over the defending Olympic champions.

The US were desperate for a win after losing their two matches on day five, but in front of a big crowd the Gangurrus were too good.

In a tense affair where turnovers were plentiful, Australia was able to hold their nerve when it mattered.

Alex Wilson led the way for Australia with eight points as they moved to a record of 3-1 after two days of competition.

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ABC/AAP