The New Zealand women's sevens team has been beaten 24-12 by trans-tasman rivals Australia in the final of the Brazil leg of the world series.
Trailing 17-nil early in the second half the New Zealanders rallied through tries to Gayle Broughton and Portia Woodman, cutting Australia's lead to just 5 points.
The New Zealand fightback though was short-lived, Australia's Charlotte Caslick scoring her second try of the final to give the green and gold's an unassailable 24-12 lead.
Australia and New Zealand are now 1st equal in the world series standings on 56 points, with Canada third, ten points behind the leaders.
