Team New Zealand celebrate during the victory ceremony of the women's rugby sevens at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
PARIS, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The final day of rugby sevens at Paris 2024 concluded with New Zealand successfully defending their gold medal against Canada, while the United States shocked Australia to claim bronze.
Meanwhile, China placed sixth overall after defeating Britain 19-15, before falling 21-7 to France in the 5th/6th playoff.
Favorites New Zealand quickly raced into an early lead, but Canada shocked the crowd and the Black Ferns by scoring two consecutive tries to take a surprising lead at the end of the first half.
Despite the misfiring start from New Zealand, the Black Ferns started the second half with more gusto and control, scoring in the first minute of the half. Despite not holding much possession, Canada remained valiant in defense. However, the Kiwis were too much for Canada to contain, and in the sixth minute of the half, Stacey Waaka went over to give New Zealand the gold and a 19-12 win.
In the bronze medal match, the Americans scored a dramatic winner in overtime to come from behind and claim a famous victory over Australia.
China's day three was a significant improvement on Monday's performance following their 55-5 loss to New Zealand. In the first positional playoff game against Britain, Yang Feifei scored more than a minute after the final hooter to give China a spectacular winner in the final play of the game.
After falling behind early in the first half, China raced into a first-half lead through Chen Keyi and Yang, securing a 14-10 lead by virtue of converting both tries. With the game finely poised in the second half, Team GB came out firing, breaking through the China defense a minute into the half. The rest of the second half was a tense affair until Yang raced through to secure another massive scalp for China from the tournament.
In China's second game, France, supported by the passionate home crowd, proved too much for them to handle. China fought over every blade of grass in the first half, and their grit limited France to a single try in the fifth minute. However, in the second half, the heroic defense in the first half began to crumble under the weight of the French attack. Despite a try by Liu Xiaoqian in the fourth minute, France pulled away to secure fifth place in the tournament. ■
Team New Zealand celebrate during the victory ceremony of the women's rugby sevens at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Jorja Miller (L) of team New Zealand launches an attack during the women's rugby sevens gold medal match between team New Zealand and team Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Stacey Waaka (R) of team New Zealand vies with Keyara Wardley of team Canada during the women's rugby sevens gold medal match between team New Zealand and team Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Gold medalists team New Zealand (C), silver medalists team Canada (L) and bronze medalists team USA attend during the victory ceremony of the women's rugby sevens at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Yolaine Yengo (L) of team France vies with Ruan Hongting (C) and Chen Keyi of team China during the women's rugby sevens placing match 5-6 between team China and team France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Chen Keyi (C) of team China vies for the ball during the women's rugby sevens placing match 5-6 between team China and team France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Su Qi (L) of team China vies for the ball during the women's rugby sevens placing match 5-6 between team China and team France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Players of team China react after the women's rugby sevens placing match 5-6 between team China and team France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Chloe Jacquet of team France carries her baby in her arm after the women's rugby sevens placing match 5-6 between team China and team France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Chloe Jacquet of team France is pictured with her baby after the women's rugby sevens placing match 5-6 between team China and team France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Players of team New Zealand celebrate victory after the women's rugby sevens gold medal match between team New Zealand and team Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Michaela Blyde of team New Zealand celebrates during the victory ceremony for the women's rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Gold medalists team New Zealand celebrate during the victory ceremony for the women's rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Gold medalists team New Zealand, silver medalists team Canada and bronze medalists team USA attend the victory ceremony for the women's rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
