The Black Ferns sevens have done the double - adding the world championships to their series season victory by thrashing Australia 31-7 in the final in Los Angeles today.
The Olympic gold medallists dominated their rivals from the start, with Jorja Miller and Michaela Brake scoring first-half tries in an attacking effort that was inspired by the team’s superb defence.
The Australians struggled to break out of their territory in the first half and, while they struck first after the break via Mackenzie Davis’ long-range try, they had few other ideas about how to break through New Zealand’s wall.
Tries from Risi Pouri-Lane and Mahina Paul quickly restored the Black Ferns’ advantage, with skipper Sarah Hirini showing a rare touch of emotion as she celebrated scoring her team’s fifth and final try.
It means New Zealand has won 21 matches in a row.
“I don’t show much emotion but it probably showed how much it meant,” Hirini said on the broadcast afterwards.
“After the Olympic gold medal we wanted to show that we are a great team by winning the league and winning the series and we did it and I’m [very] excited about it.”
Australia, the second seeds, could not cope with New Zealand’s physicality and speed, with 21-year-old Miller and Brake standouts.
In the earlier match, the New Zealand men beat Argentina 38-17 to win the bronze medal – their first podium place of the season.
Argentina have won their last four matches against New Zealand but failed to make the most of second-half yellow cards for Rob Rush and Sofai Maka for high and late tackles respectively.
The All Blacks sevens lost to Spain in a pool match and South Africa in their semifinal but saved their best performance for their last.
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scored three tries and kicked three conversions for New Zealand, who led 24-5 at halftime.
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