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Watch: Blyde welcomes Colombia to Sevens circuit with first half hat-trick
By Ned Lester
Black Ferns star Michaela Blyde wasted no time getting to the try line in their opening match of the Canada Sevens tournament.
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The Ferns played newcomers Colombia in what was the opening match of Tyla Nathan-Wong’s 50th tournament with the team, making the 28-year-old the second player to reach that milestone with the team after Sarah Hirini.
Having won three straight tournaments, the Black Ferns sit comfortably atop the circuit standings (78 points), 12 points clear of both Australia and the USA (66 points).
The team continued their hot form early on day one of the Vancouver leg, scoring 17 tries in their opening two matches.
Blyde opened the scoring in dramatic fashion within the first 30 seconds of match one and had crossed over twice more by the time the halftime whistle sounded.
Three of the best 🪄
It’s a quickfire first-half hat-trick from Michaela Blyde for @NZ_Sevens#Canada7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/zEnSUXFwdT
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) March 3, 2023
The match would finish with a staggering 60-0 scoreline with Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Jazmin Felix-Hotham both grabbing doubles. The Kiwi side backed it up with a 43-7 win over Great Britain in their second match of the day.
The All Black Sevens were also looking to continue some hot form after they claimed their second consecutive tournament win in Los Angeles last week.
The men got off to a flying start, claiming a 52-0 win over eighth-place USA courtesy of a Leroy Carter hat-trick. The All Black Sevens’ defence was operating in perfect unity and forced several turnovers.
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Elsewhere in the tournament, Australian Charlotte Caslick played her 250th match for the Wallaroo Sevens. Prior to kickoff against the host nation Canada, Australia coach Tim Walsh delivered an emotional poem he had written for his star player.
“Ten years ago, she came to us at 17.
“She arrived a talent unseen.
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“Uncompromising, elegant and ruthless.
“Resilient and determined, she is our empress.
“Now captain, she completed her internship.
“Look out world, next phase is leadership.
“Charlotte, you drive this team to make gains, experience, class and humility after 250 games.”
Caslick capped her milestone match with a try in the winning effort and currently leads the tournament in World Rugby’s “Impact Player” rankings, a culmination of attacking and defensive statistics.
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What a miserable life you must have Hamish - every article a negative slant on what might otherwise be good news stories. Despite your claims, NZRU did OK in terms of process in appointing a new coach - they were dammed if they did, dammed if they didn't so there was no perfect time to do this appointment. In the meantime, most of us rugby fans are delighted and excited by what Scott will bring to this ABs team - it will be one of the most looked forward to coaching appointments for years...
Go to commentsThe wales South Africa game was far more physical than the England NZ semi. Empty the tank, what a joke. They got beaten by smart tactics by Rassie in the final. The same way Eddie outwitted Hansen. Wales emptied the tank against the Springboks. They clearly had nothing left.
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