Black Ferns Sevens reign supreme in Cape Town

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The pair share 38 points after two of their seven tournaments, six points ahead of the USA.

The All Blacks Sevens lifted themselves to a share of third place with the United States by reaching the final and going down to Samoa 7-12. It was Samoa's first win of the 2022-23 series and they share the lead with South Africa on 47 points, three ahead of New Zealand the USA.

Both the men's and women's series will resume in Hamilton on January 21-22 next year and all teams will be hopeful of avoiding the rain that affected the final day in Cape Town.

The men's final was played in a torrential downpour.

The Black Ferns Sevens made a strong start to the final, scoring four tries, three of them converted before Australia could respond. They led 21-0 at halftime.

Shiray Kaka opened the scoring after three minutes before the player-of-the-final, captain Tyla Nathan-Wong scored in the fifth and eighth minutes.

Then Michaela Blyde extended the lead in the 10th minute before Madison Ashby got one back for Australia.

Kelly Brazier crossed for New Zealand's fifth try while Demi Hayes scored a consolation try for Australia to end the game.

The Black Ferns applied the pressure from the outset in their semifinal against Ireland. Nathan-Wong scored with in minute of the start and Michaela Blyde crossed after five minutes.

The solitary Ireland response came too late in the 12th minute.

Black Ferns Sevens coach Corey Sweeney said the win was hard to put into words.

"This group stood up and to do what they did in a final was awesome."

Nathan-Wong said, "It was an epic performance by the team. It was a bit of a grind this week, but in the final the players found their self-belief and came out and delivered."

The All Blacks Sevens played out a tough final against their Pacific neighbours. Samoa lead 5-0 at halftime after a try to Faafoi Falaniko after six minutes. Brady Rush scored for New Zealand in the 10th minute and they claimed the lead 7-5 when Tepaea Savage landed a conversion.

But in the 13th minute, Vaa Apelu Maliko scored for Samoa to claim the win.

New Zealand qualified by beating the USA 33-17 in their semifinal. The scoring was tit-for-tat in the first half.

Akuila Rokolisoa opened the scoring after two minutes before Kevon Williams replied in the fourth for the USA. Sam Dickson crossed in the sixth minute to give the All Blacks Sevens a 19-5 halftime lead.

Then Rokolisoa and Williams traded tries in the eighth minute before Perry Baker scored in the 10th.

However, that was as close as the USA got as Roderick Solo and Savage scored for New Zealand.

Samoa qualified for the final by ending South Africa's hopes of a home win by beating them 10-7 in extra time when Falaniko landed a penalty goal.

For the Hamilton Sevens, the All Blacks Sevens are in a pool with Britain, Australia and Tonga, an invitation team and the Black Ferns have Britain, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in their pool.

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