NZ finishes year in style

AUCKLAND: The New Zealand women’s team finished its world series season in style in Clermont yesterday, clinching its fifth tournament from six in 201617 and showing it is the undisputed queen of sevens since the Rio Olympics.

It needed to defeat Fiji in the cup quarterfinal to seal the championship and duly did so, beating the side that rose to fourth on the final standings 317.

Teenager Alena Saili, who showed her worth on day two, scored a brace, one of them coming from a superb offload by her skipper, Tyla NathanWong, who was later adjudged player of the final.

Host France was repelled 217, the highlight being a Ruby Tui kickpass to set up Michaela Blyde. That set up a transtsman showdown in the cup final.

New Zealand seized the initiative from the kick off when Saili made a long break off the twohanded take. Less than a minute later Tui was darting in the corner on the blindside.

Although Shannon Parry hit back with a patiently constructed try for Australia to draw level at 77, New Zealand always appeared in control to take its 24th straight victory.

Tui set up Niall Williams and then good ball movement enabled Blyde to cross for her 40th season series try. Nice interpassing saw Shakira Baker cross for their fourth try to seal the victory.

New Zealand thus takes back the world series title from Australia, which it headed by 16 points and lays a solid foundation for 201718, in which it will contest the Commonwealth Games, the world series and RWC Sevens in San Francisco.

‘‘I’m absolutely stoked. The ladies have been outstanding all season,’’ New Zealand coach Allan Bunting said. — NZME