New Zealand to face Australia in final after Michaela Brake scores four

Arch-rivals Australia and New Zealand will meet in the SVNS Perth Women’s Cup final after the two HSBC SVNS Series heavyweights recorded comprehensive semi-final wins over tough opposition at Perth’s HBF Park on Sunday afternoon.

12 months ago, the two teams met in the quarter-final stage at the same venue, with the Aussies triumphing in that clash before going on to lose the Cup final the following day. That result saw Australia’s long-lasting title drought on home soil continue for at least one more year.

Tim Walsh’s team will have a chance to create history with their first-ever title at SVNS Perth, but it won’t be easy as they prepare to face a confident New Zealand outfit. Try-scoring machines Maddison Levi and Faith Nathan are also out, as reported on the broadcast.

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The Black Ferns Sevens were the first side to book their spot in the big dance, with Michaela Brake – formerly known as Michaela Blyde before recently getting married to Olympic rower Michael Brake – stole the show with a four-try haul in a big 36-7 win over France.

Brake scored in the third and sixth minutes, before also adding five-pointers on either side of the half-time break, which had the New Zealanders in a strong position. Jorja Miller and Dhys Faleafaga also contributed as the women in black ran away with the dominant victory.

While France were able to hit back at one stage through former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Anne-Cecile Ciofani, that effort in the 13^th minute was never going to trouble the Kiwis who had never looked in danger of surrendering their lead.

“She’s amazing,” captain Sarah Hirini said on the broadcast when asked about Brake. “Loved having her back and her new name is alright too.

“Go recover, put our feet up and hopefully get a bit of a nap in then and then depending on who we play, just excited to make a final here in Perth, it’s our first  time so hopefully we do it.”

Following that match, thousands at the Western Australian venue let out a cheer as the Australian women’s side ran out onto the field. While Maddison Levi and Nathan watched on from the sidelines, it was still a side that boasted genuine star power.

Demi Hayes got the point-scoring fun underway with an effort in the third minute, and that was backed up by a try to Heidi Dennis soon after. Khali Henwood also raced away for a five-pointer as the tournament hosts took a strong 19-nil lead into the break.

But a lot can happen in a few minutes of sevens.

Shoshanah Seumautafa and Asia Hogan-Rochester scored a try each in quick succession as the Canadians reduced their deficit to just nine points. Australia had time on their side, but with only four substitutes it seemed fatigue was starting to play a factor.

That’s when Carmen Izyk scored with just over 50 seconds left.

Almost suddenly, it was 19-17.

But some individual brilliance from Henwood off the restart led to a Hayes try which of course sealed the 24-17 win. It was heartbreak for the Canadians who had put up a solid fight, but time just wasn’t on their side.

“It was so good. We obviously started really, really well and they came back there a little but in the end,” Hayes said on the broadcast. “Really stoked to get that win – a really tough, gritty win from our team.

“We spoke about them earlier (Canada) and they’re just such athletes. They’re so fast, they’re so physical so when they have the ball and we don’t, they’re really hard to stop.”