Black Ferns Sevens cruise to semi-finals after another dominant display

New Zealand have improved on their shock quarter-final exit at SVNS Perth last season by qualifying for the semi-final stage of this year’s event. 12 months ago, the Black Ferns Sevens had their title hopes dashed by rivals Australia, but they didn’t trip at the same hurdle this time.

Following a flawless run through pool play which saw the New Zealanders get the better of Brazil, Ireland and Japan – finishing with an incredible +137 points differential after only conceding 12 across the three games, and that trend continued with a 29-nil win over China.

France had already qualified for the final four after beating the USA 19-7, but then it was New Zealand’s turn to make their mark in a quarter against China. Kelsey Teneti was the star of the show as the Kiwi crossed for a double, and Jazmin Felix-Hotham also scored in the first half.

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Michaela Brake – formerly Michaela Blyde before recently getting married to Olympic rower Michael Brake – scored her first try of the tournament with about four minutes left to play, as the women in black continued to stamp their mark with a dominant team display.

A clear display of finesse to get Teneti over for her second 🙌#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER https://t.co/PCxKLIlG5C pic.twitter.com/B19h0xyNQ7

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 25, 2025

World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee Jorja Miller rounded out the Black Ferns Sevens’ impressive performance with one final try inside the last minute. For those keeping score, New Zealand have still only conceded those 12 points through four matches now.

“That’s the longest it’s ever taken me in any tournament in my whole career to score a try,” Brake said post-game on the broadcast. “Even though I didn’t score today or yesterday, it’s the work that we’re doing on the field in defence and off the ball as well.

“I’m quite proud of my performances of what I’ve done off the ball today and yesterday as well and hopefully I can carry that on tomorrow.”

New Zealand will take on France in the first Women’s Cup semi-final on Sunday after they got the better of Kristi Kirshe’s USA by a 12-point margin. Anne-Cecile Ciofani was a clear standout for the French, with the former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year scoring a double.

Ciofani was generally destructive around the field, with the Frenchwoman catching defenders in two minds by either running over or around them. France thrived on the back of Ciofani’s efforts with Alycia Chrystiaens scoring the team’s only other try in the 10^th minute.

Ariana Ramsey was able to reduce the deficit with an effort late in the contest but time wasn’t on the USA’s side as France held on for a well-deserved win. This sets up a titanic contest between the two sides who met in the SVNS Cape Town semi-finals last month.

When Caslick gets the ball, magic happens ✨#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER https://t.co/wZotHNbO1a pic.twitter.com/7Vn1By8X5p

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 25, 2025

On the other side of the draw, Australia have taken another step towards what they hope is a drought-breaking title on home soil after defeating Japan 35-nil. Maddison Levi was, as has become the norm on the SVNS Series, especially destructive for the Aussies.

Levi scored her first in the opening minute and completed a double later on. Faith Nathan, Charlotte Caslick and MacKenzie Davis also got on the scoreboard as one of the competition favourites raced out to a relentless 35-point lead.

No other points were scored.

The Aussies will take on Canada in the final four – the same nation who got the better of them in the Paris Olympics semi-finals last year at Stade de France. While the women in gold have beaten Canada since, it still shows the Canadians are a threat to their title hopes.

Mahalia Robinson and Asia Hogan-Rochester both scored early tries as Canada built up an early 10-nil lead over Brazil, but history-maker Thalia Da Silva Costa hit back with a long-range effort late in the opening term.

But Canada had the last day before the half-time interval with SVNS Series veteran Olivia Apps scoring in the final play. While the conversion was unsuccessful, the Canadians took a strong 10-point lead into the huddle at the break.

Canada’s Florence Symonds and Carmen Izyk scored the only other tries of the match during the second half, securing a confidence-building 27-5 in the final match on day two at HBF Park. The stage is now set for two massive semi-finals on Sunday afternoon.

Women’s Cup semi-finals at SVNS Perth

France vs New Zealand at 3:49 pm (local time) on Sunday

Australia vs Canada at 4:11 pm (local time) on Sunday