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New Zealand retain women’s Olympic Sevens gold, USA claim bronze
New Zealand claimed a second successive women’s Olympic sevens gold medal following a pulsating 19-12 victory against Canada at Stade de France.
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Second-half tries from Michaela Blyde and Stacey Waaka proved decisive in the gold medal match after the Black Ferns Sevens found themselves 12-7 down at half-time.
For Canada, the final match ultimately proved one step too far on the back of upset victories against France and Australia in the knockout rounds.
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New Zealand took the lead in the first half as co-captain Risi Pouri-Lane dummied her way through the Canadian defence before touching down under the posts and converting.
Canada refused to buckle though and levelled the scores with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe in the sin-bin, as Chloe Daniels raced away to score.
It got even better for the North Americans before the break as Alysha Corrigan snaffled an interception before scoring in the left corner.
However, Blyde crossed the whitewash within a minute of the restart to score her 17th Olympic try and draw level with team-mate Woodman-Wickliffe and Australia’s Maddison Levi as the all-time top try-scorers at the Games.
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And the smiling assassin Stacey Waaka made sure of victory late on with a fine finish in the right corner.
In the bronze medal match, Alex Sedrick converted her own length-of-the-field breakaway try in the final play of the match to give USA their first ever Olympic sevens medal with a 14-12 victory against Australia.
Only moments earlier it had looked as though the Levi sisters had combined to provide the match-winning moment and haul Australia back onto the podium.
Teagan Levi took a quick tap before setting her sights on the line and providing the try-scoring assist for sibling Maddison.
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However, crucially a tough touchline conversion was missed and that gave USA a sniff of victory, which was ruthlessly exploited by Sedrick.
The replacement broke through a tackle metres from her own line and, with seconds on the clock remaining, pinned her ears back and made it all the way to the Australian sticks.
Having touched the ball down, Sedrick composed herself before adding the conversion that secured the bronze medal for USA. Victory ensured that Emilie Bydwell became the first female head coach to win a sevens Olympic medal.
Earlier, France finished their home Games on a high as tries from Yolaine Yengo, Lou Noel and Chloé Pelle led them to a 21-7 victory over China in the fifth-place play-off.
Great Britain, beaten by China at the start of day three, recorded a second win of the tournament against Ireland, beating the Games debutants 28-12 to secure seventh.
Japan, meanwhile, cruised past Brazil to win the ninth-place play-off 38-7 while Fiji – bronze medallists in Tokyo three years ago – were beaten 21-15 by South Africa to finish rock bottom in 12th.
Victory was South Africa’s first at their maiden Olympics.
Well done NZ, Canada and USA. Hard luck to the Aussies - I expected to see them in the final because they’re a very talented team.
Great Final. Tight, tense, hard fought win to our wahine toa. Canada were supreme.
Gotta say, the French know how to put on an Olympic Games Rugby Sevens show. Huge crowds, & electric atmosphere, from go to whoa. That’s how you showcase Rugby proper. Brilliant.
Congrats Black Ferns 7s, Canada, & USA.
What a likeable group of women to add to their on field excellence. Special mention too for the Canadians who overcame the odds against France and Australia and pushed us all the way.