Black Ferns win Canada 7s

The new-look New Zealand women’s sevens team seem more than capable after they won the Canada Women’s Sevens final.

New Zealand beat Canada 17-7 in the final at Langford on Monday in determined defensive display, which was an impressive effort considering they were without five players on Black Ferns 15s duty, including captain Sarah Goss, and stars Portia Woodman and Kelly Brazier.

With Goss away, Tyla Nathan-Wong was handed the captaincy for the first time and she said she was proud of the team.

‘‘We were missing a few experienced players, but it doesn’t matter who you are when you get given that black jersey and when you pull on that black jersey on you just grow another arm and a leg,’’ Nathan-Wong said. ‘‘You step up.

"The girls they did incredibly well. All of them all the way from No 1 through to 14 were supporting each other and encouraging each other.

‘‘That showed out there that we had belief we could get through and we did.’’

New Zealand, who conceded just seven tries all tournament, are now 14 points clear at the top of the series rankings with one tournament left to play in France next month.

"We’ve obviously got our Black Ferns girls; they’re going to be competing in the June series which is held in New Zealand so we’re supporting them 100 per cent,’’ Nathan-Wong said.

‘‘That will take away some of our sevens girls, but it’s another opportunity for some of the new girls to come in and really develop and get some quality world-class game time.’’

Two early tries in Monday’s final to Michaela Blyde and Nathan-Wong sent New Zealand on their way for a fourth tournament victory.

New Zealand had earlier beaten France 28-5 in the semifinals.