THE Australian womens sevens team have made history – and secured a major dose of redemption – by smashing New Zealand in the final and claiming a maiden Sydney Sevens crown.
A year after they came into their home tournament as Olympic champs but crashed to a fourth placed finish, the Aussies powered home with a 31-0 win over their main rivals at Allianz Stadium.
The victory saw them remain unbeaten after two legs of the world series and it was only fitting after the most dominant tournament performance in womens sevens history.
Australia scored a whopping 213 points in six games in Sydney and did not concede a single point. Since the women’s world series began in 2012, no team has ever gone an entire tournament without conceding a point before.
Australia got on the board first after early defensive pressure pinned the Kiwis in their own 22 and yielded a turnover.
A quick tap saw Shannon Parry with a clear run to the line and the vice-captain touched down after just 90 seconds.
The rest of the half was intensely fought, and the hosts held out New Zealand on their line for much of it.
Australia had the last chance with the ball however, and Charlotte Caslick found an unmarked open side to race down and score a second after the halftime hooter.
Ellia Green snared a third after the re-start of play, following a break by Emilee Cherry and the floodgates stayed open, with Evania Pelite and Emma Sykes running in more tries.
