21 Jul 2018

Black Ferns Sevens cruise into semis

6:47 pm on 21 July 2018

New Zealand women's rugby sevens side have cruised through to the semi-finals of the World Cup in San Francisco with emphatic wins over Mexico and Ireland.

Portia Woodman

Portia Woodman Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz

The Kiwis were in ominous touch in their nine-try 57-0 win over Mexico, crossing the try line with almost every possession.

Sevens all-time leading try scorer Portia Woodman scored a minute and a half into the match, and with minimal signs of defence from Mexico, captain Sarah Goss grabbed a hat-trick while winger Michaela Blyde also crossed twice.

The New Zealanders then went on to account for Ireland 45-0, who had upset England 19-14 in their early match.

Blyde scored a hat-trick in the comprehensive seven-try win, Woodman again crossed twice, with Stacey Waaka and Nial Williams also scoring.

Coach Allan Bunting said it was pleasing to give all 12 players game time and hold on to possession for long periods of play.

"We achieved what we set out to achieve today. It was good to give everyone some game time, now we have to rest up and focus on tomorrow," he said.

The Black Ferns Sevens will play the United States at 7am on Sunday for a place in the final, while Australia meet France in the other semi-final.

The All Blacks Sevens kickstarted their campaign with a comfortable 29-5 win over Russia to set up a quarter-final clash with France on Sunday.

Winger Joe Ravouvou crossed twice in the five-try win, with Andrew Knewstubb, Kurt Baker and Tim Mikkelson also scoring.

New Zealand coach Clark Laidlaw was happy with the opening effort.

"It was a long day but I'm really happy how the guys played, it's good to get that first game under the belt after a few weeks off and it will set us up nicely for tomorrow," he said.

France secured their quarter-final spot after upsetting Australia 22-17.

- RNZ