Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

'The beauty of sevens': NZ star reacts to Australia's shock elimination

By Finn Morton
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Black Ferns Sevens have booked their place in the Sydney Sevens semi-finals after beating Japan for the second time in one day.

ADVERTISEMENT

New Zealand had scored 77 points and only conceded 12 across their first two pools games, before playing Japan in the final round-robin match on Saturday morning.

After beating Japan 27-12, the Black Ferns secured their place in the knockout rounds where they’d face… Japan, again.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

But this time they were even more dominant, as they recorded an emphatic 33-nil victory at Allianz Stadium.

Sevens veteran Michaela Blyde set the tone from the opening minute with a try, and the women in black added another seven points to their lead shortly after.

Along with Blyde, four players crossed the try-line in the quarterfinal including Jorja Miller, Stacey Flihler and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

It’s an interesting curveball in the race for this seasons World Series crown, with Australia having been knocked out by France two games earlier.

ADVERTISEMENT

New Zealand were already four points ahead of their fierce rivals on the World Series standings, but can separate themselves from the pack even more with a win in Sydney.

Sevens star Blyde said that while the Australians would be disappointed to lose at home, the Black Ferns need to make the most of this “opportunity.”

“Obviously it’s gutting for them being at home, but that’s the beauty of sevens,” Blyde told RugbyPass.

“You’ve just got no idea who’s gonna turn up on the day and you have to turn up, no matter if it’s your home, quarters, first pool game.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Obviously it’s an opportunity for us to get some good points ahead of them.”

Blyde walked off the field with an icepack – insisting it was only for recovery – and appeared firmly focused on the job that awaits her team on Day Three.

Related

While Australia’s elimination is shocking, and could potentially bode well for New Zealand’s pursuit of a World Series title, Blyde insisted that her side won’t “get too far ahead of ourselves.”

“We’ve got to focus on our semi-final first,” she added.

“We’ve got a big game against Ireland, they’re looking extremely fit, they love to move the ball around.

“We’re not going to get complacent we’re not going to get too far ahead of ourselves; what’s most important is our semi-final tomorrow.”

The Black Ferns Sevens will play Ireland in the Cup semi-finals on Sunday afternoon, with the match set to kick off around 3.44pm (AEDT).

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 7 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

25 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Search