Ferns & Aussies leave world behind

Women's sevens is developing at a remarkable rate. National teams have gone professional and semi-professional worldwide, the quality of play and the physicality and athleticism of players has improves with every tournament, but for every step forward every other team takes it seems that New Zealand and Australia, take two.

For the seventh tournament in succession the trans-Tasman rivals met in the final, with New Zealand lifting the title after beating Australia in another epic clash.A try from player of the tournament Portia Woodman sealed the 17-10 win for her side, after the scores were locked at 10-10 in the second half.The Ferns were ahead at half time but a resolute effort from Australia, captained by Sharni Williams, saw a fight-back in the early stages of the second half. However, a scintillating break by Woodman saw her touch down in the corner to seal the second tournament victory for New Zealand this season

Speaking after the final whistle, winning coach Sean Horan said: "It was a real final - we knew it was going to be a game of chess. We were not lucky, but we got the rub of the green in the first half... and that got the momentum going.There's not much difference between these two sides, and I think that's going to be the reality all the way through. It's almost like the AB's and South Africa - Aussie have gone really well and it's credit to them."

New Zealand captain Sarah Goss added: "To play Australia twice in a row and to get another win was amazing. The girls playing outstandingly and for Portia (Woodman) to get that try in the corner was epic.Our first day was probably one of the best first days we've ever had, and to come in at the start of the year playing that kind of footy is great."

Portia Woodman was named player of the tournament after a very impressive performance over the weekend in São Paulo, racking up a total of 13 tries - a new record for a single tournament - making her the series top scorer with over 60 touchdown's since the inaugural season in 2012/2013.

For second tournament running Canada beat France for the third place, with the maple-leafs beating their opponents 19-0.England took plate final, as they had in Dubai. beating USA in 14-5 while the Bowl Final was won by Fiji, who won out a physical battle with Spain, 17-12.

Although the first five places replicated the first leg in Dubai, the tournament had plenty of drama. Hosts Brazil showed how far they had come in a year, finishing second in Pool B following a thoroughly deserved 26-14 win over Fiji. In a single game it showed how the game has moved on. The skill and power of the Fijians looked like it would sweep the game, but the extra speed and stamina of the home team, help by the heat of Sao Paulo, allowed them to come from behind to win the game.

Canada took third again, remaining the strongest team outside Oceania - despite the worse possible bulid-up to the tournament, with the team arriving in Brazil several days late due to flight problems caused by weather in North America (indeed some of their back-room team never arrived at all, with the United States stepping in to help the Canadians out with things like physio support).If anything Canada seemed to have moved further ahead of their European rivals, as they beat England, France and Russia.

France reinforced their hold on the crucial in fourth place in World Series - the final automatic Olympic qualifying spot, showing that their performance in Dubai was no flash in the pan. England are now four series points behind them in fifth - a disappointing result that might have been even more so without a masterly performance by Jo Watmore, whose tries in the Plate semi-final saw off rival Russia.

Elsewhere the United States probably return home with the greatest feeling of what-might-have-been. A narrow 14-12 pool defeat to France in the pool gave them the toughest possible quarter against New Zealand - but they nearly pulled that off too. With only a couple of minutes to go, Kristen Thomas cross the line for a try that would have put the US ahead... but under no pressure the ball slipped from her hands, and within seconds New Zealand were down the other end turning a two point lead into nine.

Russia rose to the challenge when faced with England, drawing 17-17 in the pool, and might have pushed Canada closer in the quarter-finals if some decisions had gone their way. However seventh place means that hopes of a top four finish in the series look increasingly distant.

Finally South Africa, Spain and China had weekends they would prefer to forget.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "This weekend in Brazil we witnessed yet another great display of what the women's series is all about - intensity, energy, high skill levels and passionate performances.We can see the step-up at each round and this was typified with another thrilling final between New Zealand and Australia."

The next leg of the women's series travels to Atlanta, USA with all the action kicking off at Kennesaw State University on 14 and 15 March.

Group A

Group B

Group C

Bowl Semi Finals (9th-12th)

11th/12th Match

Bowl final:9th/10th Match

Quarter-finals (1st-8th)

Plate Semi Finals (5th-8th)

7th/8th Match

Plate final: 5th/6th Match

Cup Semi Finals (1st-4th)

3rd/4th place

Cup Final: 1st/2nd place