Women end comeback with win
Black Ferns Sevens triumph in their second and last World Series event of the season
The Black Ferns Sevens finished their brief season on a high with victory in the Toulouse final yesterday. New Zealand came back to beat Australia 21-14 in the final for their first tournament title of the year having played only two of the six rounds.
They still finished fifth overall, with Australia claiming the title.
Down 14-7 at halftime in the final, the Black Ferns Sevens got revenge over Australia for their Langford loss three weeks ago with second-half tries to Alena Saili and Kelly Brazier.
“It was really hard. Australia are awesome, an amazing team, they won the World Series. I love this team.
We haven’t played for a very long time and to now win a tournament . . . it’s pretty exciting,” New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini said.
Hirini said they didn’t change too much for the Australia clash from the Langford defeat.
“I’ve got amazing girls around me, some of the best players in the world, so when they’re going forward, I can go off the back of them.”
The Black Ferns had earlier beaten Fiji 24-14 in the semifinals after doubles by Michaela Blyde and Hirini.
Reapi Ulunisau and Alowesi Nakoci scored second half-tries for Fiji but the Kiwis were always in command.
Australia thrashed Ireland 40-7 in the other semifinal.
Fiji, playing their 80th final, won the men’s title in Toulouse, beating first-time finalists Ireland 29-17.
“Teamwork in defence and attack was what this victory was built on. We kept the ball well and stuck to our game plan,” Fiji’s Tevita Dagunu said. “To all the Fijians around the globe, this win is for you.”
The All Blacks Sevens took out their frustrations at not making the Cup knockout phase by hammering Scotland 42-7 in the men’s ninth-place playoff.
Despite their final appearances, Fiji and Ireland aren’t contending for the series title with two legs remaining in London this weekend and Los Angeles in August.
Argentina, out to Ireland in the quarter-finals, took over the series lead by two points from South Africa, who didn’t make the quarters. Australia, out to France in the quarters, are third overall, eight points behind.