New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini and Niall Williams celebrate a try against Scotland on day one of the HSBC France Sevens women's competition. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini and Niall Williams celebrate a try against Scotland on day one of the HSBC France Sevens women's competition. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
New Zealand have sailed into the women's semi-finals at the world sevens series event at Toulouse without conceding a point - but the Kiwi men have been bounced out before the quarter-finals.
After losing their final pool game 29-14 to Australia, the All Blacks Sevens wound up on the wrongend of a three-way tie on points differential, as the Aussies and United States advanced to the quarter-finals.
It was a lot smoother for the Black Ferns Sevens, who beat a determined Canada in their final preliminary, before overwhelming Brazil in the quarter-finals, keeping their fourth clean sheet in the process.
The NZ women barely touched the ball in the first half against Canada but somehow led 5-0 at halftime, then ran in two more tries in the second half.
New Zealand's Michaela Blyde races away from the Scotland defense for a try on day one of the HSBC France Sevens women's competition. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
Drawn against the best third-placed team, the Black Ferns proved no match for the South Americans in their knockout match, with Portia Woodman recording a hat-trick of tries and Michaela Blyde grabbing a double in a 41-0 romp.
New Zealand now face Fiji in the semi-finals, after the Pacific team toppled Olympic silver medallists France. On the other side of the draw, Australia face Ireland for a place in the final.
The NZ men take on Spain in the ninth-place semi-final, with the prospect of playing South Africa for the bowl trophy.
