New Zealand’s women’s sevens team have seized the momentum ahead of the Paris Olympics, with the Black Ferns smashing Australia 29-14 to take out the Los Angeles Sevens.
Despite losing Jorja Miller to injury inside the opening minute, the Black Ferns were back at their lethal best as they ran in five tries against their great trans-Tasman foes.
Tryscoring machine Michaela Blyde was the difference, as the lethal pocket rocket out wide scored a hat-trick, including a first-half double that put New Zealand on the front-foot.
Michaela Blyde scored a hat-trick in New Zealand’s win over Australia in the Los Angeles Sevens final. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images)
The match-turning moment came in the moments before half-time, as Maddison Levi’s tackling issues returned.
Despite going into contact low, the world’s most dangerous player led with her head and collected a dipping Shiray Kaka in the jaw. It saw her shown a yellow card.
While Australia initially held out, the Black Ferns turned the screws on their opponents shortly after half-time by running in two quick tries as Risi Pouri-Lane and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored.
Levi showed what she was capable of with ball-in-hand, as she scored Australia’s second to give the women in gold a faint chance.
But Blyde’s third sealed the deal as New Zealand closed the gap on the World Series standings to four points.
Earlier, Tim Walsh’s side put away the fast-improving Brazilians and then edged the United States to progress through to the final.
On the men’s side of the draw, John Manenti’s side finished their tournament on a high by beating the United States 24-14 to take out seventh spot.
After missing out on the quarter-finals in Vancouver, it was a much-improved showing by Manenti’s side in Los Angeles after topping their pool by taking down New Zealand, the US and Samoa.
But Australia stumbled against Great Britain in the quarter-finals, losing 26-19.
They responded on the final day of action by beating the US.
The men’s side of the draw was taken out by France, with Antoine Dupont playing a crucial role in their run to the trophy as they beat Great Britain 21-0 in the final.
His French side sit in fourth spot on 56 points, one point clear of Australia and three ahead of New Zealand.
Argentina, who suffered a shock loss to Ireland in the quarter-finals, are in top spot on 90 points, 20 points clear of Ireland and 26 ahead of Fiji.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH Hugh it does work both ways, as I’ve noticed many Australians settling across the ditch. Even the new PM who was born in Aotearoa was schooled in Australia, returning just a few years ago, to try & lead the nation, of which he’s had very limited success ATM with trying idiotically to try wiping out Te Reo, & many other original Maori place names. Not good
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
It’s great the opportunity Australia provides for so many Kiwis, just saw Neil Finn promoting a new album, a Kiwi who got his break and career from Australia. How good, Australia for a lot of Kiwis is the land of opportunity.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH Flash it does tell us that the coach is failing in doing his job, as her tackling style should have been rectified. It’s not her fault that the coach is seemingly hopeless at doing this. The blame is upon him!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep Tony the 20year old Miller was player of the year last season & still looks good. Ruby Tui is still playing well in 15’s as I saw her in the Aupiki during the weekend
Tony
Roar Rookie
Thanks Muzzo - Im also gobsmacked at how good rookie Jorja Miller is - she seems to effortlessly break tackles and lope away in slow motion and is also dynamite over the ruck ball AKA Ruby Tui
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Levi is a liability. Yes, she can run fast but what use is that when you're sitting out 2-3 matches at a time having been red carded (yet again). Furthermore another red card means a longer stint on the sidelines as she is deemed to have not learned her lesson. A liability.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True Tony, as Levi was well contained by both those you mentioned, until Caslick created the gap for her. But overall those two Black Fern players are currently the world's most prolific try scorers, in the Seven's game, with close on 470 tries scored between them.
Tony
Roar Rookie
The Worlds most dangerous player ? I would think a few of the Black Ferns ie Woodman Blythe and Waaka to name a few woud have a say in that.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
To be honest expected the Kiwis to win the final even if Maddi Levi wasn’t yellow carded, the women are missing some significant fire power in Terita & Lefau-Fakaosilea. As for the men it was an improvement on Vancouver, will be better when Longbottom returns.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As most know the Aussie women’s 7’s have a few of Maori ancestry who do strengthen their team.
Wig1
Roar Rookie
A card magnet by the look. Our sevens lady’s are better looking too aye. :laughing: give em a taste off kiwi !! Sure did
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Absolutely it is mate
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Loving the women’s 7’s. they are so skilled and play so well
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Great write up Christy! The women's 7s are Australia's best rugby team and deserve any attention that they get. As do the BF7s. What a fantastic team of role models.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
In truth, it shows the Coach is not doing his job properly. Like two Reds this season, & she was lucky not to get another one today.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well the world's most dangerous player, as you say Christy, has still a lot to learn! Either that, or the Coach Walsh needs a shakeup to start her to lower her tackling heights. Already this World Series she's had Reds twice & been suspended & today, she copped a yellow that most, in the men & womens, have been receiving Reds with anything to do with forceful head contact. She was so lucky in that respect. Actually in this game both the world's leading try scorers in the game, Blyde & Woodman, contained her very well till Caslick created the space for her to run onto & score her try. TBH Levi's defence does need working on, as she is nowhere as good as her sister. So with this tournament win, the Black Ferns now have had 25 finals v Australia, in which they've won 18 tournaments to Australia's 7.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Thats the difference.
mrl
Roar Rookie
What’s the difference if you just happen to be carrying the ball?
yeah-nah
Roar Rookie
Really? It's the tacklers responsibility to get the height right. Levi has to adjust just like everyone else who gets yellow/red carded. Attackers aren't dropping their height just because Levi is the tackler - many attackers are doing that now.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
yeah that's her,