Australia grabs women’s rugby sevens gold medal after nervy victory over New Zealand

FAVOURITES Australia were crowned the first ever Olympic rugby sevens champions after beating New Zealand 24-17 in the final of the women’s tournament in Rio.

AUSTRALIA’s women’s seven’s team are the first ever Olympic champions.

An inspiring performance from the Aussie girls saw them defeat rivals New Zealand in the final 24-17 and make history.

5 reasons why the Aussie women’s seven side won gold

Charlotte Caslick scored twice and her teammates defended like warriors to claim the win and confirm their status as the best women’s sevens team in the world.

Sharni Williams and Nicole Beck shows off their medals.

Ellia Green lifts up a teammate as they celebrate victory in the women’s rugby sevens gold. Picture: AFP Photo

And coach Tim Walsh was ‘absolutely elated’.

“We’ve had some huge battles with New Zealand over the past few years. Anyone could have won the tournament today.

“I’m just so relieved we’ve got it!”

Walsh said the three days of entertainment from the 12 teams on show proved rugby was worth its place, albeit there was a large gap between the top and bottom sides.

“We certainly upheld the values of the Olympic movement and rugby and I believe we’ve created a very sustainable future for rugby sevens,” said Walsh.

Charlotte Caslick and Evania Pelite played leading roles in the win.

“Every time somebody watches women’s sevens, they get amazed by the athletic ability, the skills and the sheer excitement of the game.

“They embody what rugby’s about, and the Olympics.”

Walsh admitted that more needed to be done to narrow the “disparity between the top and bottom”.

“In the World Series we do need some more tournaments to make sure that other teams can participate and that the curent teams are getting more competition,” he said.

“If you look at the top eight, it’s very, very competitive.”

No way through Ellia Green for the Kiwi attack.,

A handling error from Australia on their own 22 in the opening minute gave New Zealand early attacking territory and the Kiwis made them pay with a try after four minutes to Kayla McAllister in the left corner.

The Aussies looked nervous but Emma Tonegato helped them get back in the game with a surging run upfield. She was hauled down but the Aussies kept pressuring and it yielded a try to the same blond winger.

Alicia Quirk celebrates with a supporter after victory in the women’s rugby sevens. Picture: AFP Photo / John Macdougall

Tonegato took a pass from Alicia Quirk and dived over in the corner to make it 5-5.

The Kiwis tried to pressure the Aussie side with physical intensity but they held firm, and pushed ahead on the halftime siren.

After New Zealand lost a player to the sin bin for a deliberate knock down, the Australian attack shifted left and a lovely long ball from Quirk saw reserve winger Evania Pelite scoot down the left touch line for a second try and a 10-5 lead at the break.

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The Aussies took advantage of their extra numbers again after the break, when they moved the ball to the left and Emilee Cherry passed to Ellia Green who raced in a third try. The conversion made it 17-5.

Charlotte Caslick took them further ahead in the 16th minute when she took a quick tap near the New Zealand line and dummied through the line to score again and seal the historic win.

Originally published as Australia grabs women’s rugby sevens gold medal after nervy victory over New Zealand