Rio 2016: James Davies admits Great Britain's Sevens quarter-final win came on a wing and a prayer

Britain reached the last four with a thrilling sudden death victory over Argentina

Bibby goes over to seal Great Britain's progression (Getty)

James Davies admitted he delivered his first prayer while sitting on the sidelines as Great Britain beat Argentina in extra time in the Rugby Union Sevens quarter-final at the Deodoro Stadium here in Rio on Wednesday night.

With the clock at zero at the end of normal time Davies conceded a penalty for a high tackle that gave the Pumas the chance to snatch the match with a penalty drop goal. Davies was sent to the sin bin where he could only watch. Luckily for him, cruelly for Argentina, the kick sailed wide and GB breathed once more. With a minute to go, Dan Bibby found a sliver of space to score the only points of the match as Britain won 5-0 to spark scenes of jubilation.

“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 [when the penalty was being taken] 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 celebrates with Bibby after the sudden death victory (Getty)

Bibby admitted it he thought GB were done when Argentina had their shot at victory. “I was like: ‘argh, this is our Olympic dream over’ but some sort of luck was on our side.”

It certainly was and Bibby took full advantage to slide over into the corner and become the hero. “I was just right place, right time. I was just thinking ‘don’t drop it, don’t drop it.’”

Bibby admitted it was an extraordinary game to be involved in. “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.”