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Black Ferns beat Australia in one-sided final win in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 11: Michaela Blyde of New Zealand scores a try during the Women's Cup Final match between New Zealand and Australia on day 3 of the HSBC Cape Town Sevens at DHL Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images)

Australia’s rugby sevens women have finally had their glorious run of success ended – by their old rivals from across the Tasman.

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The triple champions – Commonwealth, World Series and World Cup winners – went down 31-14 to New Zealand in Sunday’s unexpectedly one-sided final of the Cape Town Sevens, reheating a famous old rivalry that the Australians had appeared to be dominating of late.

It was in the same Cape Town stadium that the Aussies had won the World Cup final against the New Zealanders in September and world player of the year Charlotte Caslick’s side had also beaten the Black Ferns handily in last week’s final in Dubai.

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But clearly itching for revenge, the New Zealanders tore into the final with some relish, putting four scores on the board and powering 26-0 ahead before the Australians, looking a little fazed by the rainy, slippery conditions, could even get on the board.

Stand-in captain Tyla Nathan-Wong’s double for New Zealand made her a deserved player of the match, while second-half tries from Madison Ashby and Demi Hayes for the Aussies proved to be little more than consolations.

“Epic performance from the team,” boomed Nathan-Wong, who’s been shining on this circuit for a decade having played in the first Series final 10 years ago, and was part of New Zealand’s Olympic-winning team.

“This week has been a bit of a grind for us this week, but, man, in that final it all came together.

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“I’m getting a little bit old, ain’t I? But I love this team, and can’t wait to do it again.”

The New Zealand win, secured without some of their best players, meant they have now moved alongside the title holders at the top of the World Series standings on 38 points, suggesting it’s going to be a close tussle between the two teams over the seven-event global tour this season.

Earlier on Sunday, the Australians had hammered the USA 33-12 in the semi-final with Maddison Levi scoring her second hat-trick of the weekend to put her clear as the top try-scorer after two rounds of the Series.

Caslick and Dominique du Toit also went over for tries.

In the men’s event, Samoa ensured there would be no New Zealand double as they beat the All Blacks 12-7.

But it proved a forgettable weekend for Australia’s reigning men’s World Series champions who failed to make the quarter-finals and, after losing 24-12 to France, ended up finishing 10th overall, forcing them to now play catch-up in their bid to retain their crown.

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They’ve now slipped down to sixth overall in the standings on 39 points, eight points behind joint leaders Samoa and South Africa.

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Hellhound 1 hour ago
Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

NZ lost a great player there. Played brilliantly for Glasgow and against SA was the best player on the pitch. Caused the Boks some headaches. Slot him into the current AB's team, and they would be very dangerous, especially broken play.


However, the Scots isn't stupid and their recruiting from the SH countries is starting to pay off. They don't have the player pool the SH countries have, nor that of their neighbours even.


I applaud them for being so open-minded as giving those players who have loyally played their rugby in Scotland for years a chance. SA for one have such a vast pool of players that's so talented and could be world class given the smallest chance, but will never get a look in because there is just so many stars in the country.


I don't mind that Saffas play for other countries to further their own careers. Besides, it makes Scotland better and makes for one more team to step up to the big stage and make rugby more exciting than just the top 4 that usually wins.


Scotland may have lost by 17 against a rusty Bok "B" team, but that score is not a true indication of that match. The Scottish biggest mistakes was kicking at goal the entire time, instead of going for the jugular. If they tried to go for tries, they may have been stopped and the score might have been bigger, but the game was on such a knife edge, that if they did go for it, they might have scored a couple of tries or more and we very well might have seen a Scottish upset.


It was by no means a bad effort at all. Tom Jordan is one of their best new talents coming through. He should've stayed with Glasgow. What a loss for the URC Champs. Going to Loftus and getting one over the Bulls is something that not even the so called best team in club rugby could do. Leinster keeps losing at Loftus. For Glasgow to do that in a Final was phenomenal and Tom Jordan was no small part of that feat.


Rugby is truely becoming a global sport now, where the eligibility rules is making rugby a much smaller world, but a much bigger global game. The Scots is most likely the team with the most aliens in their team. They welcome players with open arms. I applaud that. They are a sleeping giant, and if they continue playing like they did against the Boks, despite the results, they will become a real threat for 2027.


I admired how they played. They impressed everyone. I say good on them. Results will come if they continue on their upward trajectory. I wish them and Tom Jordan all the luck they deserve.

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