Radio Free never accepts money from corporations, governments or billionaires – keeping the focus on supporting independent media for people, not profits. Since 2010, Radio Free has supported the work of thousands of independent journalists, learn more about how your donation helps improve journalism for everyone.

Make a monthly donation of any amount to support independent media.





Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak

RNZ Pacific The Black Ferns Sevens have beaten France 26-12 to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics after earlier today defeating Fiji in the semifinal, banishing the heartbreak of finishing second to Australia at the Rio Games five years ago. Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton and Stacey Fluhler crossed in the first half to give New

RNZ Pacific

The Black Ferns Sevens have beaten France 26-12 to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics after earlier today defeating Fiji in the semifinal, banishing the heartbreak of finishing second to Australia at the Rio Games five years ago.

Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton and Stacey Fluhler crossed in the first half to give New Zealand a 19-5 lead at the break with Tyla Nathan-Wong adding a fourth try early in the second spell to wrap up the win.

Fiji’s Fijianas earlier followed up their gold in the men’s competition with a bronze in the women’s event, defeating Britain 21-12 in the third-place play-off, having narrowly lost the pulsating semifinal against New Zealand.

New Zealand won the silver medal at the Olympics five years ago, and another silver in the men’s competition in Tokyo, but finally they have their gold as they lived up to their billing as top seeds in the competition.

They controlled possession from the kick-off of the final and got their reward when captain Sarah Hirini released the ball to speedy Blyde to score the opening try.

But France hit back through Caroline Drouin as she raced through an uncharacteristically large hole in the Black Ferns’ defence for an unconverted score.

New Zealand’s pace was creating space in wide areas, however, and Gayle Broughton managed to dive over in the corner, before Fluhler carved through the French defence to give her side a 19-5 halftime lead.

Anne-Cecile Ciofani kept France in the contest with a try after two minutes of the second half, but New Zealand restored their 14-point advantage when Nathan-Wong crossed between the posts.

The Black Ferns women's sevens team and the French team stand for the anthems at the Tokyo Olympics, 31 July 2021
The Black Ferns women’s sevens team and the French team stand for the anthems before their gold medal final at the Tokyo Olympics today. Image: Kenji Demura/Photosport

Fiji struck first
Fiji struck first in the bronze-medal match when Alowesi Nakoci crossed under the posts early before they soaked up pressure inside their own 22 from Britain for a full four minutes with some excellent defence.

When the Pacific islanders were finally able to break out with quick hands on the right wing, Nakoci raced in for a second score, before Megan Jones dotted down for Britain to make it 14-5.

The game was made safe for Fiji when Reapi Ulunisau burst through a gap in the Britain defence and streaked away for a try, though Jones grabbed her second to reduce the deficit to nine points.

Fiji's Fijiana sevens team
Fiji’s Fijiana sevens team … Tokyo Olympic bronze medal after beating Britain. Image: 24News

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.


This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.


Print Share Comment Cite Upload Translate Updates

Leave a Reply

APA

APR editor | Radio Free (2021-07-31T11:47:54+00:00) Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2021/07/31/black-ferns-golden-win-against-france-banishes-olympic-sevens-heartbreak/

MLA
" » Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak." APR editor | Radio Free - Saturday July 31, 2021, https://www.radiofree.org/2021/07/31/black-ferns-golden-win-against-france-banishes-olympic-sevens-heartbreak/
HARVARD
APR editor | Radio Free Saturday July 31, 2021 » Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak., viewed ,<https://www.radiofree.org/2021/07/31/black-ferns-golden-win-against-france-banishes-olympic-sevens-heartbreak/>
VANCOUVER
APR editor | Radio Free - » Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak. [Internet]. [Accessed ]. Available from: https://www.radiofree.org/2021/07/31/black-ferns-golden-win-against-france-banishes-olympic-sevens-heartbreak/
CHICAGO
" » Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak." APR editor | Radio Free - Accessed . https://www.radiofree.org/2021/07/31/black-ferns-golden-win-against-france-banishes-olympic-sevens-heartbreak/
IEEE
" » Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak." APR editor | Radio Free [Online]. Available: https://www.radiofree.org/2021/07/31/black-ferns-golden-win-against-france-banishes-olympic-sevens-heartbreak/. [Accessed: ]
rf:citation
» Black Ferns golden win against France banishes Olympic sevens heartbreak | APR editor | Radio Free | https://www.radiofree.org/2021/07/31/black-ferns-golden-win-against-france-banishes-olympic-sevens-heartbreak/ |

Please log in to upload a file.




There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.

You must be logged in to translate posts. Please log in or register.