Rugby World Cup Sevens: New Zealand retain title with dominant display as England look to 'exciting' future

The Black Ferns conceded just three tries throughout the entire tournament as they became the first nation to win the Women's Sevens World Cup twice

New Zealand became the first nation to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens title twice in what proved an emphatic performance in San Francisco, conceding just three tries in four matches and powering their way past France to clinch a dominant final.

Three tries from Michaela Blyde clinched her the Player of the Final award, and left Les Bleus with no chance in what proved to be a one-sided final as the Black Ferns triumphed 29-0.

Portia Woodman and Tyla Nathan-Wong completed the rout, but while the defeat was disappointing for the French, the fact that they knocked out reigning Olympic champions Australia – the only other winners of the Women’s Sevens World Cup – was a triumph in itself.

Australia managed to safe face by taking bronze, beating hosts the United States in an action-packed third-place play-off with a 24-14 victory.

England meanwhile bounced back from Friday’s disappointing first-round defeat by Ireland to record three successive victories and win the Challenge draw with successive victories to nought over Mexico and China, before beating Japan 31-5 in the final.

England captain Abbie Brown receives the Rugby World Cup Sevens Challenge trophy from World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont (Getty)

For Abbie Brown, the 22-year-old England captain, the disappointment of Friday was partially erased by Saturday’s success, and while she admitted that the team had shown what they’re truly capable off, the future for what remains a young team appears to be a bright one.

“I think that shows that the squad we have has the determination and the fight that this team has got,” Brown said. “The girls are amazing and I couldn’t have asked for any more or to put anything more into that game – or all the games to be fair. It’s true credit to what we’re about and where we’re going forward, so we’ll do that.

“People coming through that are just 18 or 19 years old and just want to play and have got so much energy, so they bring a different twist to it and I think everyone has such a firm base in the squad. This year’s been great off the pitch as well and we’ve really come into our own as a team and it’s very exciting going forwards.”

Ireland saw their strong campaign come to a disappointing end as they lost out to Spain in the fifth-place play-off, with a last-gasp try from Teresa Bueso Gonez sealing a 12-7 win that left the Irish side in a promising sixth place.

Swiss watchmaker TUDOR is the Official Time Keeper of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in partnership with World Rugby. For further information visit www.tudorwatch.com