Olympic Sevens, Women - Day Three
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New Zealand will face the United States, while Canada meet Australia in the medal semifinals on the third and final day of the women’s tournament on Tuesday.
Four New Zealand players scored twice as they set a new points record for a women’s Sevens match at an Olympic Games, beating the 53 Australia had scored against Colombia at Rio 2016.
That record win set up a semifinal meeting with the United States, who came back after conceding an early try to beat Great Britain in their medal quarterfinal.
Meanwhile, Canada broke French hearts in a hugely physical encounter and Maddison Levi scored her 11th try at Paris 2024 to break Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s long-standing individual tournament try record as Australia beat Ireland to make up the final four.
* Below we bring you all the drama from the women’s Day Three at the iconic Stade de France.
Final
New Zealand 19 – 12 Canada
The wait is over for the grand gold finale at the Paris Olympics Sevens. As expected, a formidable New Zealand dealt the first blow with a try crafted by Pour-Lane. They would then pick up a yellow card which would bring Canada into the match. A nifty assist from App to Daniels followed by Corrigan picking the ball out the air with an interception gave Canada the lead going into the second half.
With New Zealand trailing, they stuck to their guns and kept patient on attack. This would pay off when getting the ball out to Blyde to make a strong carry and get in for the score. The final blow would come from Waaka who smiled her way to the try-line and with tenacious defense, New Zealand won the game against a brave Canadian team that never gave up. New Zealand go back to back with gold medal triumphs to end off a fantastic edition of Olympic sevens.
Bronze medal play-off
United States 14 – 12 Australia
With a medal at stake, these two well-matched sides really put on an entertaining contest. Australia struck first through a Caslick-Levi collaboration with space opening up on the switch-pass to Levi. Kelter would draw the game up for the USA to score from a scrum set-piece move for the first half to end with a converted try to both teams. The second half would be a tussle but Australia would eventually get over the line for an unconverted try with thirty seconds left to spare. The Eagles had an almighty task being pinned deep in their own half but a sensational burst of speed from Sedrick down the midfield would see her under the posts to score a converted try and a phenomenal effort to snatch the bronze medal from Australia.
Medal semifinals
New Zealand 24 – 12 United States
The Eagles took on the Black Ferns in the first semifinal match. The USA started well bringing the tempo to New Zealand with the physical Kelter stiff-arming the defender and breaking the line for the first try of the game. New Zealand would then show their might running in four tries to punish the USA courtesy of a double brace coming from Waaka and Blyde which had the USA clutching at straws on attack towards the dying moments. The game would belong to New Zealand with Kirshe running in a constellation try to have the last say in the match but it’s New Zealand who will contest for the gold while the USA still have the chance in taking home the bronze.
Canada 21 – 12 Australia
The Canadians took on the unbeaten Australians in the second semifinals with both teams coming into form at the right time. Australia were off to the races first scoring two tries in quick succession that left a lot of groundwork for the Canadians to make up. A monumental second half performance from Canada would see them score two tries of their own to take the lead by two points as this game went down to the wire. A costly handling error from Australia next to their try-line would give Canada their third try with a set-piece move that saw Piper Logan scoring for her team again at a crucial time for an incredible upset by the Canadians to overcome the Australian giants and advance in their quest for gold.
Fifth-place play-off
China 7 – 21 France
Chants of ‘Allez Les Bleus’ could be heard throughout the stadium in this final match for the home team taking on the People’s Republic of China. A hard-fought first half was had between these two sides with France leading by a converted try coming from a patient build-up on attack for Yengo to step the defense on her way to the try-line. France kept the crowd roaring in the second half with tries coming from Noel and Pelle who plays her final match for the national side. China would score towards end of the game with Lui to get themselves on the scoreboard but it would be all too much to contend with as France come away with the fifth-place position.
Fifth-place semifinals
China 19 – 15 Great Britain
The first game really set the tone for day three. Great Britain struck first with Kildunne running at pace to get on the outside of the defender for the first try of the day. China would show why they’re a team that’s here to stay scoring the next two tries with a handy inside pass to Chen to open up the space followed by some fancy footwork from Yang to make her way to the try-line. Great Britain would trail at the half by four points but soon regain the lead with Boatman scoring in the corner as one point separated the two teams to make this game a nail-biting affair. China would come out on top in the end in emphatic style with Great Britain giving away a penalty at the death in their end zone for China to sneak the winning try in the corner.
France 19 – 7 Ireland
This was a match up between two sides who could’ve well been playing in the semifinals today. Ireland got the start they wanted with a try from Higgins as they lead at the break by a converted try. France with the help of the home crowd pulled together to even the scores with their star player, Okemba putting in some strong ball carrying that was too much for the Irish to bring down. The game would be all square with a few minutes left to play. France would keep their composure for Drouin to get in to score to take the lead followed by another tackle-breaking try special from Okemba as France came from behind to advance to the fifth-place finals.
Seventh-place-play-off
Great Britain 28 – 12 Ireland
A rematch from day one. The Irish looked to have another crack at Great Britain after falling short on their previous attempt. Great Britain looked to have Ireland’s number again scoring three tries to one in the first half with a brace of tries coming from Jones and then another from Norman-Bell. A yellow card would not help Ireland’s cause but with Burns getting them on the scoreboard, they still had a chance going into the second half. A fourth try scored by Cowell for Great Britain and a buzzer-beating second try in the corner from Boles for the Irish wraps up this seventh-place final with Great Britain getting back to back wins over Ireland.
Ninth-place play-off
Japan 38 – 7 Brazil
This game was expected to be a fierce contest but it was the Japanese flame that burnt the brightest. They displayed an impressive performance on attack against a Brazilian team that can never be counted out. The Japanese sprinted to a three try lead at the halftime break through the prolific Kajiki which was followed up by scores coming from Utsumi and Otani. Japan would not let up in the second half with further scores coming from Hirano, Nishi and Tanaka as Brazil just couldn’t hit their strides to get into the match. Brazil would finally cross the try-line to not go empty handed on the scoreboard thanks to Soares but it would be Japan who end their campaign on a high note taking ninth-place position.
Eleventh-place play-off
South Africa 21 – 15 Fiji
The wooden spoon match was contested between the Blazeboks and the Fijiana as both teams looked to clinch their first win of the competition. The South Africans, as they’ve done all tournament, got off to a superb start with Nadine Roos bagging an early brace as she lead her team from the front. South Africa’s third try would come from Mpupha who ran a great line to split the defense and canter in for the score. Fiji would leave it late to get back into the game with two tries coming from Lomani and Ditavutu as South Africa began to run out of steam towards the end of the game but did enough to seal the victory and get their first win to take eleventh-place honors.
