This time it was 15-12 victory but a tougher battle for the Black Ferns Sevens, with Australia’s Evania Pelite scoring in the first minute. Demi Hayes ran from the halfway line for Australia’s second try a couple of minutes later. New Zealand barely got out of their half over the first seven minutes and they had the same problem at the start of the second period, even with Pelite in the sin-bin.
Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
Stacey Fluhler starred for Black Ferns at Eden Park against Australia on Saturday. Later in the half Australia had two more players in the bin and the Black Ferns quickly made that numerical advantage count with a try by Portia Woodman.
After the pool stage of the women’s competition, Whakatōhea had 10 points, Ngāti Maniapoto had four, wile Tūhoe failed to pick up a bonus point in either of their two defeats. In the final, between the top two teams, Ngāti Maniapoto jumped out to an early lead against Whakatohea, with Hannah Brough scoring a try with a run from 70m out after just 90 seconds.
Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images
Stacey Fluhler, co-host of the Toa 10s, had a role with the commentary team durinig the one-day tournament. Giorgi Tomini hit back for Whakatōhea with a long range try down the same edge a few minutes later. With both of these tries scored in the bonus zone, the score was 7-7.