Both NZ sides through to Sydney Sevens semis
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 in Sydney 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 today to be contested by the United States and France, with the latter knocking the hosts out of the tournament.
The All Blacks Sevens also made the last four with an armwrestle against Samoa, winning 12-0.
Samoa had Faafoi Falaniko yellow-carded early, but he was back on the field with the game still scoreless, as a solo run from Roderick Solo down the right flank became the only points of the first half.
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black sealed victory with NZ’s second try in the final minute.
They will meet South Africa in today’s semifinal after the same side survived two players shown yellow cards to defeat them 16-14 in pool play.
After a tight start, where South Africa had plenty of the ball but couldn’t find a way through the New Zealand defence, it was the All Blacks Sevens that struck first with Joe Weber crossing the line in the fifth minute.
South Africa had a scrum inside New Zealand territory as the halftime hooter sounded. The ball was moved to the right, where the Kiwi defence was weaker and Shilton van Wyk ran in to score. With both tries converted, the score was 7-7 at the break.
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 Solo took a high kick from 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 Duarttee kicked a penalty to win.