Paris 2024 rugby sevens: All results, as New Zealand launch comeback against Canada to defend women’s Olympic title
New Zealand captured the nation’s first gold of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, winning the women’s rugby sevens title against silver medallists Canada by 19-12. This marks New Zealand’s second consecutive women’s rugby sevens gold medal after taking home the title at Tokyo 2020.
New Zealand opened the match with a try from Risi Pouri-Lane to take a quick 7-0 lead. Canada responded with a couple of tries in the final minute of the first half, beginning with Chloe Daniels, who sprinted down the middle of the New Zealand defence to even the match. Seconds later, they took the lead when Alysha Corrigan intercepted a pass and ran home to enter half-time with a 12-7 advantage.
New Zealand immediately opened the scoring in the second half as Tyla King sidestepped the Canadian defence and sprinted in for a try, with the Kiwis taking a 14-12 lead. They then extended it to 19-12 when Stacey Waaka dived in for a try with less than two minutes remaining.
Team USA stunned Australia in the final moments of the bronze medal match with a try by Alex Sedrick, breaking a tackle and sprinting the length of the field to level the scores. The conversion was good and the Americans grabbed their first medal ever in rugby at the Games with a 14-12 victory.
Risi Pouri-Lane pays tribute to the ‘tribe’
As the the final seconds ticked off the clock, the New Zealand players broke out in celebration across the pitch as their teammates sprinted from the bench to join in on the fun. Pouri-Lane, who was an essential part of New Zealand’s consecutive gold medals, provided insight into her emotions following their latest victory.
“It’s pretty special. I’m proud of the team. I’m proud of the team around us, the people at home who have supported every single one of us and helped us get to this moment. It takes a whole tribe, it takes a whole squad,” said Pouri-Lane. “We’ve got some great players retiring after this tournament and we owe them such a lot. We’ve learned such a lot from them and been empowered by them. But not just us, all around the world."
After their late win against Australia to claim bronze, many Team USA players were overwhelmed with happiness upon capturing the nation’s first women’s rugby sevens medal, including Ilona Maher.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m so tired but I’m so excited. I don’t think it will sink in until we get up with those medals. We worked really hard. We wanted this medal, not for ourselves but for our families. It was such a hard few years but we did it," Maher said. “I hope it means we get more games in stadiums like this, that we get more money and funding for the women’s game. We deserve it. We need more girls in the U.S. trying rugby and seeing what it can do for them.”
Rugby: Women's sevens podium
Gold: New Zealand
Silver: Canada
Bronze: United States