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Back to back for Black Ferns Sevens in Sydney

The Black Ferns Sevens have secured their second back to back tournament this season, with a 33-7 victory over Canada in the Cup final in Sydney.

Having defeated the Canadians in the final in Hamilton last weekend, New Zealand were able to repeat what they had done late last year when they secured victory at Dubai and Cape Town over consecutive weekends.

Conditions were less than ideal at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, having dealt with 40 degree temperatures on the Saturday, the skies opened up on finals day, with torrential rain impacting play. Lightening delayed the start of the final by half an hour.

Canada made a strong start in the final, making a break early in the match, before Michaela Blyde made a brilliant try saving tackle. It didn’t take long for the Black Ferns Sevens to open the scoring, with Tyla Nathan-Wong finding space to score under the posts. Canada struck back through the dangerous Charity Williams who had a great battle on the right flank with Stacey Fluhler. However, a brilliant dummy from Gayle Broughton saw her score right on halftime to give the Black Ferns Sevens a 14-7 halftime lead.

It took three minutes into the second spell for New Zealand to strike again, this time through Niall Williams. The flood gates then opened up with Theresa Fitzpatrick busting her way over the try line and Alena Saili sealing the deal with the Black Ferns Sevens’ fifth and final try right on full time.

19 year-old Jazmin Hotham entered the game with two minutes remaining, after making her Black Ferns Sevens debut in their 24-7 semi-final win against France.

Nathan-Wong was named player of the final, while Fluhler was named the DHL Impact Player of the tournament.

The victory in Sydney is the Black Ferns Sevens fourth tournament win of the season, and they take their unbeaten streak to 19 games. They currently top the standings after five tournaments on 96 points, 16 points clear of Australia and Canada who are second and third respectively on 80 points each.

The Black Ferns Sevens have a bit of a break now before the women’s World Series resumes in Hong Kong on April 3.

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