Michaela Blyde’s hat-trick powered New Zealand to a 29-14 victory over old rivals Australia to take their second gold medal of HSBC SVNS 2024 in as many weeks.
Both sides went into the final unbeaten in Los Angeles but brilliance from Blyde, plus scores from Risi Pouri-Lane and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, proved the difference as they closed the gap with series leaders Australia in the standings to just four points.
It capped off a bumper day of women’s action at HSBC SVNS Los Angeles with three knockout games all taking place on one day, Australia edging hosts USA to make the final while New Zealand beat Canada.
In the third-place play-off, USA secured the bronze medal on home turf with a 21-7 victory against Canada, their best finish of HSBC SVNS 2024.
New Zealand win consecutive golds
Michaela Blyde broke the deadlock for New Zealand on the left edge, but Australia responded when Sharni Smale's break set up Charlotte Caslick for an almost immediate reply.
Blyde, however, would get New Zealand back in front with a sensational score from 60 metres out, shrugging off three Australian defenders to scorch away and score her 11th try of the weekend.
Australia’s problems were compounded as Maddison Levi saw yellow for a high tackle, New Zealand taking advantage after the break as Risi Pouri-Lane was found in acres of space on the right wing. Moments later, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe showed her strength and pace to further that lead once more down the right wing to 22-7.
Disciplined New Zealand defence pinned Australia in the own 22, but Levi couldn’t be contained forever as she combined with Caslick and ran 80 metres to cut the deficit.
But with just over a minute to go, Blyde completed her hat-trick down the left wing, securing the victory and backing up New Zealand’s win in Vancouver last weekend.
Route to the final: Australia edge hosts; New Zealand conquer Canada
A late Faith Nathan try broke USA hearts as the series leaders held off a late Women's Eagles Sevens resurgence to win their semi-final clash 26-19.
Australia had eased past Brazil in the quarters and the first half belonged to them, two converted tries from Maddison Levi and Isabella Nasser putting them 14-0 ahead at the break. Sammy Sullivan got the USA, who’d cleared South Africa 24-7 in their quarter-final, on the board early in the second half.
Levi added an Aussie third, but a brace of converted tries from Alev Kelter drew the scores level to give USA some hope. However, thanks to the pace of Nathan, Australia crossed at the last minute to secure their final spot.
After a 36-12 defeat of Ireland, New Zealand strode to a 31-12 semi-final victory over Canada. The Vancouver champions had led 19-0 at the break and despite a brace from Sophie De Goede, there was only ever going to be one winner in this contest as New Zealand crossed for two more.
After beating France 28-19, this loss sent Canada to the bronze final for the second weekend in a row. In Vancouver, they'd beaten Australia 19-14 to take bronze.
USA beat Canada for bronze
The scorching pace of Naya Tapper and Steph Rovetti, helped by a late penalty try, was enough for USA to overcome Krissy Scurfield’s effort and secure victory over Canada.
Tapper scored the only try of the first half after finding space between two defenders on the left wing, while Rovetti showed her pace with a 75-metre effort.
After losing the bronze match in both Cape Town (19-7 v New Zealand) and Perth (24-10 v Great Britain), this is the Women's Eagles Sevens' best finish of the season.
