SEVENTH HEAVEN
Triumph of strategy, attacking intelligence and old-fashioned Kiwi grit does the job
Black Ferns Sevens savour golden glow in Tokyo after beating France 26-12 in last night’s Women’s Sevens final
Fourteen-point win followed the dramatic extra time triumph over Fiji in pulsating and bruising semifinal
The heroics also come five years after the side suffered heartbreak after losing the final at the Rio Olympics
Earlier in the night, Flying Kiwi Dylan Schmidt won bronze in the men’s trampoline competition
New Zealand has now won four gold, three silver and three bronze medals in Tokyo
The Black Ferns sevens team were last night crowned 2020 Olympic champions in Tokyo. Five years after coming second to Australia in the final in Rio, the Black Ferns were deserved winners over France; their dominant 26-12 victory a triumph of strategy, attacking intelligence and grit.
In truth, their hardest opponents in Tokyo were Fiji in their semifinal several hours earlier which went to extra time. But the big unknown was how much that hard-fought and at times frantic 22-17 victory had taken out of them.
Not too much, as it turned out, because the Black Ferns were far too good for France across the field. They played with more energy and commitment — the heartache of 2016 well and truly exorcised.
They had nearly the perfect start, with Sarah Hirini, the captain courageous and probably the most influential player on the pitch, claiming the kickoff and prominent again in a move which sent speedster Michaela Blyde between the posts after one minute.
An early kick through, which was regained, suggested the women in black had thought long and hard about their tactics against the French, but despite their early momentum, a loose pass from Ruby Tui gave away possession, with Caroline Drouin the ultimate beneficiary for France.
That 7-5 margin was as close as it got for France, with the outstanding Gayle Broughton over for a spectacular try in the left corner and Stacey Fluhler over again with a beautifully constructed try from a move off a penalty tap from 40m out just before the break.
That gave the Black Ferns a 19-5 halftime lead and the game was theirs to lose. France got one back after the break when Anne-Cecile Ciofani was over in the corner for France after the restart, a try which she did well to convert.
But the Black Ferns weren’t to be denied. They poured on the pressure and a run of penalties had France on the back foot. With Hirini again pulling the strings, Tyla Nathan-Wong scored between the posts on a penalty advantage for a try which she converted, and time was running out.
There was still time for a brilliant Broughton turnover penalty, Portia Woodman to get over the line for a possible try ruled out for a foot in touch and then a Tui turnover penalty as the French struggled to get out of their 22.
Black Ferns speedster Blyde, who appeared hampered by a hamstring injury over the last two games, was smiling well before the final whistle, and when Kelly Brazier kicked the ball out after the final hooter, the celebrations could start.
“I’m just so happy,” Hirini, fighting back tears and sporting a rapidly
blackening right eye, told Sky Sport immediately after the match.
“I’m just so grateful to be a part of the best team in the world. Man, this team has been through a lot over the last five years and we’re bringing home a gold medal. I’m just so proud. We love each other. It’s pretty special.
We’ve been together for two months now. It’s such a special group and this is the last time we’ll be playing together.
“We love to have a good time.” Earlier, Fiji beat Great Britain 21-12 for the bronze medal, an achievement not forgotten by Hirini.
“I’m so proud of Fiji, they just won a bronze medal for their country,” she told Sky Sport.
“They deserved that so much. They pushed us all the way. They played to their potential in that semifinal and I’m just glad we have some superstar players who can stand up when they need to and score in the last minutes.”
New Zealand 26 (Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton, Stacey Fluhler, Tyla NathanWong tries; Nathan-Wong 3 cons) France 12 (Caroline Drouin, Anne-Cecile Ciofani tries; Drouin con). HT: 19-5.