BACK IN BLACK
It seemed like it was just yesterday and that they hardly went into a break. New Zealand started from where they left with a stellar showing on the opening day of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, the first round of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.
The start of a new season may have given hope to some of their contenders but the Black Ferns were to quickly extinguish those thoughts. It was another day at the office for the Sevens Sisters as the defending champions hardly broke a sweat.
Allan Bunting’s side went into top gear to perch themselves atop Pool A and cruise into the Cup quarterfinals.
New Zealand, who won all the rounds barring Sydney last season, began by spanking South Africa before completing wins against France and the USA, at The Sevens Stadium on Thursday.
The Black Ferns put on the skates against South Africa with Portia Woodman, Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton, new mom Kayla McAlister, Stacey Waaka and Theresa Fitzpatrick all scoring tries, while Tyla Nathan-Wong made four conversions. Katarina Whata-Simpkins had one conversion.
New Zealand came up against a quite physical France, whom they beat 28-7 before wrapping it up in another brutal encounter against the Americans.
Blyde took just 40 seconds to put New Zealand on the road and they finished it with a 45-14 win. Woodman had two tries, while Broughton, captain Sarah Goss, Ruby Tui and McAlister had one each. Tyla Nathan-Wong made four conversions to finish with 12 conversions on the night.
It will be a repeat in the quarterfinals with the Sevens Sisters taking on the USA. Earlier, the tournament and the seventh instalment of the women’s event got off to a start with Ireland working off Fiji 20-12 in Pool C.
Stacey Flood, Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe, Ashleigh Baxter and Katie Fitzhenry had tries for Ireland, while Tima Ravisa had two tries and Lavena Cavuru made a conversion.
The Pool B opener was a thriller with Russia rallying to nick a 17-15 over England, Claire Allan’s first match as captain.
Later on, in what was an ‘Ashes’ contest on a rugby pitch, Australia won the bragging rights against England with a 22-7 win.
England though will have the opportunity to avenge that when they face-off again in the quarterfinals on Friday.