Olympic Rugby Sevens: New Zealand win Gold as Canada beaten while USA claim stunning Bronze

Adam Kyriacou

30 Jul 2024 7:27 PM

New Zealand celebrate victory over Canada as they claim the Gold medal.

New Zealand retained their Olympic Rugby Sevens title after defeating Canada 19-12 in the women’s final at a packed out Stade de France in Paris on Tuesday evening.

Risi Pouri-Lane, Michaela Blyde and Stacey Waaka tries helped New Zealand to make it back-to-back Gold medals at the Olympic Games after their success at Tokyo 2020.

Canada‘s try scorers in the final were Chloe Daniels and Alysha Corrigan as they take home the silver medal in a hugely impressive tournament showing on French soil.

Bronze for USA

The Bronze Final provided late drama as Alex Sedrick’s long-range converted try at the death helped the USA to floor a much-fancied Australia side, claiming a 14-12 triumph.

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It was a remarkable success for the USA and should put the sport in the spotlight, with player and social media star Ilona Maher hoping the win catches the nation’s attention.

Semi-final drama

Two thrilling semi-finals preceded the Gold Final as New Zealand managed to edge out the USA 24-12 before Canada shocked an in-form Australia 21-12 in a stunning result.

Try doubles from Waaka and Blyde saw New Zealand to victory while Canada hit back from 12-0 down as Charity Williams, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Piper Logan crossed.

Canada’s victory came on the back of Monday’s win over host nation France as they’ve more than punched above their weight this Olympics and will be thrilled with the silver.

In the placement games, South Africa beat Fiji 21-15 to seal an 11th place finish before Japan eased to a 38-7 win against Brazil, crossing six times in the 9th Place Play-Off.

It was then the turn of Great Britain and Ireland to battle it out in the 7th Place Play-Off and tries from Megan Jones (2), Heather Cowell and Jade Shekells saw GB win 28-12.

France finished in fifth after they beat surprise package, China, 21-7 in their play-off.