Ferns win Vancouver World Series

New Zealand were all smiles after beating Australia in the HSBC Canada Sevens final in Vancouver, while USA raced to a win over France in the third-place play-off.

Victorious Black Ferns’ coach Cory Sweeney said: “We knew Australia were going to be tough tonight … We knew they would come out firing, they’ve had a really good tournament, so the girls were up for it.”

He admitted that there had been a wobble or two on the way: “Day two, we probably had a couple of lapses - a great game against Canada at home, but to finish the way we did tonight, we’re over the moon.”

New Zealand the title with a 19-12 win over arch-rivals Australia, which also guarantees them a top-four finish on the Series standings and automatic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

It was the Black Ferns' 24th win in a row. Their last defeat came in the first round in Dubai.

A hard-fought encounter was to be expected in a final between two sides at the top of the rankings, who have met in 21 grand finals to date. Vancouver wasn't disappointed.

Player of the final Sarah Hirini opened the scoring after a long period of intense Black Ferns' pressure. She then turned provider for Stacey Waaka just before half-time whistle, after Australia's Madison Ashby had levelled the scores.

Jorja Miller extended New Zealand's lead early in the second half, but Charlotte Caslick pulled Australia back to within seven, with plenty of time still on the clock.

Bronze final: USA leave France standing

USA got off to a flying start against France, a battle between third and fourth in the sevens rankings, racing to a 12-0 lead inside five minutes, via Naya Tapper and Sammy Sullivan before their opponents could mount a meaningful attack.

Carla Neisen gave France hope with a try under beside the posts midway through the second period - but Nicole Heavirland broke clear to decide the match, and third place, 19-17.

Semi-finals: Australia and New Zealand cruise

The prolific Maddison Levi scored her 10th, 11th and 12th tries of the weekend - reaching 44 for the season - and Dominique du Toit added another two as Australia cruised past USA to win 38-0, ensuring their place in the final and enjoying a measure of revenge after defeat in Hamilton.

Three New Zealand tries in the first half ended any hopes that France had of reaching the final. Three more in the second period sealed the deal as the Black Ferns booked a second consecutive final appearance with a 36-7 victory. Smiling assassin Waaka scored in each period.

Fiji teenager Qoro lights up finals day early

A 50th international sevens try was not enough for Great Britain who lost 28-19 to Fiji in the fifth-place semi-final. Eighteen-year-old wing Meredani Qoro twice put her high school sprinting skills to work to confirm the win and set up a match against Canada - who had got the home crowd on their feet with a 24-12 win over Ireland, courtesy of a double from Fancy Bermudez.

Local favourites Bianca Farella, Olivia Apps and Keyara Wardley later had the Vancouver crowd jumping again, as they all touched down in an entertaining end-to-end fifth place final against Fiji - but Reapi Uluinisau’s late lung-busting score meant the Pacific Island side finished on the front foot, winning 22-17.

Brazil and Japan finish strong

Earlier, tournament invitees Colombia had given neighbours Brazil a scare, racing into a 12-0 first-half lead in the opening match, thanks to two tries from Daniele Alzate. But Gabriela Lima got Brazil’s game going just before the break, and scored their fourth try on the final hooter - as they came back to win 26-12 and claim 11th place.

Captain Yume Hirano scored the first and made the last as Japan came from behind to beat Spain 17-10 to finish ninth - a victory built on determined and organised defence.

Great Britain, meanwhile, claimed seventh place with a comfortable 25-5 win over Ireland, with Jasmine Joyce scoring her fifth try of the tournament.

Results

Pool A: Fiji 24-26 Great Britain; New Zealand 60-0 Colombia; Fiji 42-24 Colombia; New Zealand 43-7 Great Britain; Great Britain 57-0 Colombia; New Zealand 24-7 Fiji

Pool B: Australia 26-7 Japan; France 33-14 Spain; Australia 48-0 Spain; France 40-7 Japan; Japan 17-12 Spain; France 10-21 Australia

Pool C: Ireland 28-7 Canada; United States 20-7 Brazil; Ireland 31-7 Brazil; United States 17-12 Canada; Canada 31-7 Brazil; United States 19-17 Ireland

Quarter-Final: Australia 29-5 Fiji; United States 24-5 Great Britain; France 12-10 Ireland; New Zealand 10-5 Canada

9th-12th Place Semi-Finals: Brazil 5-12 Spain; 9th-12th Place Semi-Final Japan 43-0 Colombia

11th Place: Brazil 26-12 Colombia

9thPlace:  Spain 10-17 Japan

5th-8th Place Semi Finals: Fiji 28-19 Great Britain; Ireland 12-24 Canada

Semi-Finals: Australia 38-0 United States; France 7-36 New Zealand

7th Place: Great Britain 25-5 Ireland

5th Place: Fiji 22-17 Canada

3rd Place: France 7-19 United States

Final New Zealand 19-12 Australia