Black Ferns sparkle in Sydney surge
The Black Ferns Sevens are within two victories of a second World Series title in a week.
The New Zealand women’s team defeated Japan 33-0 in their quarterfinal of the Sydney Sevens tournament last night.
Despite having Stacey Fluhler yellow-carded for taking a player out in the air early in the first half, NZ scored tries through Michaela Blyde, Jorja Miller and a returning Fluhler in the first spell.
Miller got her second in the second half before veteran Portia Woodman-Wickliffe came off the bench to emphasise the title-favourite’s dominance.
New Zealand won the women’s crown in their own backyard in Hamilton last Sunday and advanced through the pool stage with a perfect record.
Yesterday, they defeated Japan 27-10 when the two sides clashed in pool play in the afternoon, following a 48-0 win over Papua New Guinea and a 29-14 victory against France on Friday.
The Black Ferns will meet Ireland in the semifinals after they beat Fiji 26-12, with the other last-four encounter on today to be contested by the United States and France, with the latter knocking the hosts out of the tournament.
■ South Africa survived two players shown yellow cards to defeat the All Blacks Sevens team 16-14 at the Sydney Sevens yesterday.
Both teams had won all their other pool games heading into this clash and were already secured a place in the quarterfinals, but the result determine who would potentially get an easier run to today’s final.
The All Blacks Sevens played Samoa in the quarterfinals last night because of this loss, while South Africa faced Ireland.
Samoa topped their pool thanks to a 17-12 win over Ireland on Friday.
South Africa’s Jaiden Baron was sent to the bin early in the second half and within a minute New Zealand made their numerical advantage count as Roderick Solo took a high kick from Joe Weber and had only the try line in front of him.
But Zain Davids intercepted a pass to run away for South Africa’s second try.
Impi Visser was also shown a yellow card in the second half for an intentional knockdown, but this time New Zealand couldn’t capitalise on having an extra man and with no seconds left on the clock Ricardo Duartttee kicked a penalty to win.