Ferns continue run with three big wins
The Black Ferns have begun their sevens year the same way they finished their last — with more wins.
The World Cup and Commonwealth Games winners haven’t lost a game since falling to Australia in the final of the Sydney Sevens last year.
And after cruising to the Fast Four title in Hamilton on Sunday, the Black Ferns continued their hot form on their return to Sydney.
First, they took care of Papua New Guinea 38-5 in their tournament opener despite a rocky start.
There was perhaps a touch of rustiness from the Kiwi side as PNG veteran Fatima Rama scored the first try of the match — a stunning 75m effort that she topped off with a front-flip celebration.
But New Zealand were quick to overturn the early scare through tries from Sarah Hirini and Tyla Nathan-Wong to take a 12-5 advantage into the break. The Black Ferns piled on four more on a tiring PNG side.
It was a similar story in their second game, as the Black Ferns overpowered France 31-7, who they also beat 31-0 in Sunday’s Fast Four final.
France were able to keep it close early after France’s Chloe Pelle cancelled out Michaela Blyde’s opening try. New Zealand took control late in the first half when France's Anne Cecile Ciofani was in the sinbin for two minutes.
The Black Ferns pulled away as Stacey Waaka, Gayle Broughton and Nathan-Wong crossed over to put them well in front. As the final hooter sounded, Blyde turned up again on the left wing, as she did so often last year, to score the game’s final try.
The Black Ferns concluded pool play by thrashing England 29-0 in their third game, scoring five tries.
The Black Ferns’ only game today is a 2.50pm quarter-final against Canada, with the semifinals and final tomorrow. The men’s tournament starts today, with New Zealand playing Wales, Spain and Scotland in pool play.