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New Zealand moved clear on the top of the women’s World Sevens Series rankings with their second consecutive Cup Final victory on Sunday. The 17-7 win over Australia puts them six points ahead of the pack and eight points past the USA, who had entered level on points.
The Women’s Eagles were desperately disappointed to slip up against Canada in the Cup Quarter Final, losing by a single point as Julia Greenshields scored the game-winning try. Alev Kelter’s 14-point haul was almost enough with Canada unable to convert any of their tries. Britt Benn and Ghislaine Landry had touched down earlier.
Under the new finals day format which continues to draw criticism, the USA’s tournament was finished with a final tournament ranking of 5th place. Brazil were similarly limited to only one game, losing convincingly to Ireland in the 11th place final with their only try going to Leila Silva.
Canada’s win guaranteed them two more games. The Cup Semi Final saw New Zealand run out to a 15-nil lead with Bianca Farella’s last-minute try preventing the shutout.
A better result came in a thrilling Bronze Final. Farella opened the scoring but France scored three in a row to take a 17-7 lead. Kaili Lukan scored before Farella’s second sent the game into extra time. Greenshields would skate through from close range to give Canada the win and vital rankings points.
The Series takes a month off before the Oceania leg begins in Hamilton, New Zealand, on January 25, with Sydney, Australia, the following weekend.
DAY THREE RESULTS
CUP QUARTER FINALS
France 31 – 0 Russia
Australia 38 – 7 Fiji
Canada 15 – 14 USA
New Zealand 26 – 21 England
11th PLACE FINAL
Brazil 7 – 26 Ireland
9th PLACE FINAL
Spain 19 – 7 South Africa
CUP SEMI FINALS
France 19 – 24 Australia
Canada 5 – 15 New Zealand
BRONZE FINAL
France 17 – 22 Canada
CUP FINAL
Australia 7 – 17 New Zealand
