Rio Olympics 2016: Women's sevens side through to quarters

Huriana Manuel scores try during the New Zealand women's sevens side's 26-7 defeat of France in group play at the Rio Olympics. Photo / AP

The New Zealand women's sevens rugby team have progressed to the competition's quarter-finals after beating France and topping their pool this morning.

The 26-7 result means the Kiwis will play a quarter-final later this morning in Rio de Janeiro against the USA.

Yesterday, the team made a flying start to their campaign with Portia Woodman and Kayla McAlister the stand out figures.

Woodman, daughter of former All Black Kawhena Woodman, scored three tries in New Zealand's opening 52-0 victory over Kenya in their first pool match.

The side then backed up a couple of hours later to defeat Spain 31-5 in their second match with Woodman repeating her effort of scoring a try in the first minute of the game.