USA take Silver at Glendale, Canada wins Bronze

New Zealand were a step ahead of the rest at Infinity Park, wrapping up a perfect start to the 2018-19 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series with a dominant 33-7 win over the USA in the Cup Final. A hat trick from superstar Portia Woodman did the damage with the World Cup Champions looking to reclaim the overall crown they lost to Australia last season.

The second-place finish on home turf was nothing to scoff at for the Women’s Eagles. With this season doubling as a qualifier for the 2020 Olympics a top-four finish is the target and a Cup Final appearance at the first opportunity is a fine start to the campaign.

It capped a remarkable turnaround for the USA after struggling on Day One. Defeats to England and New Zealand and a narrow escape against China saw the Eagles sneak into the Quarter Finals. They stunned Australia with Ilona Maher touching down three times, and then a last-gasp try from Alena Olsen, converted by Alex Kelter, won the Semi Final against France.

Canada also reached their target of a top-four finish as they shut out France 28-0 in the Bronze Final. Bianca Farella grabbed a double with singles for Charity Williams and Kaili Lukan. It was New Zealand who proved too strong in the Semi Final, Woodman striking for two tries in the 28-19 win.

The Canadians had started strong, winning all three matches on the opening day. Fiji, Ireland, and France fell in succession. Williams picked up two tries in the 21-17 win over Russia in the Quarter Final.

Invitational side Mexico had a largely forgettable tournament, failing to score a single point in their five matches while conceding more than 40 in each.

Next up on the calendar is Dubai which kicks off on November 29.

 

 

DAY ONE RESULTS

POOL A
Russia 34 – 5 Spain
Australia 53 – 0 Mexico
Russia 58 – 0 Mexico
Australia 40 – 0 Spain
Spain 46 – 0 Mexico
Australia 21 – 15 Russia

POOL B
USA 10 – 12 England
New Zealand 45 – 0 China
USA 24 – 21 China
New Zealand 28 – 7 England
England 35 – 12 China
New Zealand 35 – 12 USA

POOL C
Canada 26 – 7 Fiji
France 21 – 12 Ireland
Canada 24 – 12 Ireland
France 45 – 12 Fiji
Fiji 7 – 59 Ireland
France 10 – 24 Canada

 

DAY TWO RESULTS

CUP QUARTER FINALS
New Zealand 34 – 7 Ireland
Canada 21 – 17 Russia
England 7 – 22 France
Australia 5 – 26 USA

TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Spain 46 – 0 Mexico
China 14 – 17 Fiji

5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Ireland 21 – 10 Russia
England 12 – 26 Australia

CUP SEMI FINALS
New Zealand 28 – 19 Canada
France 19 – 21 USA

11th PLACE FINAL
Mexico 0 – 47 China

TROPHY FINAL
Spain 20 – 14 Fiji

7th PLACE FINAL
Russia 17 – 14 England

5th PLACE FINAL
Ireland 19 – 21 Australia

BRONZE FINAL
Canada 28 – 0 France

CUP FINAL
New Zealand 33 – 7 USA