NZ to play France for Olympic sevens title after tense semi-finals
New Zealand will play France for the Olympic women’s sevens title after both emerged victorious from their respective semi-finals in Tokyo on Saturday.
The Black Ferns Sevens, the gold medal favourites, avoided a shock upset at the hands of Fiji in a pulsating match that was only settled in extra-time.
The high-octane semi-final began with Gayle Broughton crossing the line in second minute to give New Zealand an expected lead early on, but the tenacity of the Fijians proved difficult to cope with for the Black Ferns Sevens.
Channelling the flamboyance that is synonymous with Fijian sevens, the Pacific Island nation, which stunned reigning Olympic champions Australia in Friday’s quarter-final, struck back a few minutes later through Vasiti Solikoviti.
Viniana Riwai’s conversion edged Fiji in front, but Ruby Tui had the chance to put the Kiwis back in front on the stroke of half-time as she charged up the middle of the field from halfway.
Some stunning defence by Fiji thwarted Tui’s try-scoring opportunity, though, as the New Zealander spilled the ball over the line to bring an end to an intense first half.
Fiji then triggered the alarm bells for the Black Ferns Sevens early in the second stanza when Solikoviti crossed for her second try little more than a minute into the new half.
Desperate for a try to bring things level, New Zealand’s calls were answered by Portia Woodman, who used pace and agility to round the defensive line and soar down the right-hand touchline and score under the posts.
Tyla Nathan-Wong converted, bringing the scores level, but Fiji threatened to reclaim the lead when Alowesi Nakoci stormed into Kiwi territory from well inside her own half.
It took a spectacular covering effort from Nathan-Wong to deny Fiji their third try, and a knock on saved the Black Ferns Sevens from a potentially devastating blow two minutes from full-time.
That enabled New Zealand to work their way back up the park and eventually score through Stacey Fluhler, who was put into acres of space from a wonderful Kelly Brazier pass.
Nathan-Wong’s seemingly stock-standard conversion attempt rattled the post, though, gifting Fiji one last chance to steal the game, if not send it to extra-time, which they grasped with both hands.
Wallabies halfback Nic White has issued a warning to the All Blacks a week out from their opening Bledisloe Cup clash of the year at Eden Park next Saturday. #AllBlacks #Wallabies #BledisloeCup https://t.co/1Xii1d3jrN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 31, 2021
Utilising some tidy footwork and speed, Reapi Ulunisau danced through the New Zealand defensive line from the re-start and outpaced three defenders to score in the corner.
A wayward conversion attempt from out wide sent the game to extra-time with the scores locked up at 17-all, but the Black Ferns Sevens got the upper hand when they reclaimed the ball from re-start.
Holding onto the ball for three minutes straight, the Kiwis eventually broke through when Broughton beat three exhausted defenders to score her second try of the match and lock in a place in the final.
There they will meet France, who stunned a Great Britain outfit who almost solely relied on the pace of Jasmine Joyce but ultimately came up short of a place in the Olympic final.
Two early tries to Anne-Cecile Ciofani and Seraphine Okemba put the French up 14-0 after just two-and-a-half minutes, but Joyce clawed the Brits back into contention with two well-taken tries as her pace was used to full effect.
France were unrelenting in all aspects of the game, though, as their attack was in full swing while their defence was constantly in the face of the British.
Black Ferns Sevens star Ruby Tui is the latest viral sensation to come out of the Tokyo Olympics following a captivating post-match interview. #Rugby #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/wKkfMVV9sj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 31, 2021
It’s little surprise, then, that they scored on either side of half-time as Ciofani and Coralie Bertrand both crossed for tries, but Hannah Smith’s try midway through the second half kept Great Britain just seven points astray.
A slew of penalties almost cost France their lead as the game creeped towards its closing stages, but a clutch piece of defence at the breakdown secured them with the ball as the full-time siren sounded.
An emphatic kick to touch cemented France’s place in the final, where they may back their chances after Fiji exposed that New Zealand can be exploited with enough pressure and attacking flair.
Great Britain, meanwhile, will square off against Fiji in a fight for the bronze medal.
In the other matches of the opening session on the final day of action, Australia and the United States progressed to the fifth-place play-off after dispatching the Russian Olympic Committee and China, respectively.
At the bottom end of the draw, Canada and Brazil will compete for ninth-place after they eliminated Kenya and Japan, respectively, from the competition.
Comments on RugbyPass
I question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to comments