The New Zealand women's rugby sevens team have notched up clinical back-to-back wins over the Russian Olympic Committee to ease into the Tokyo Olympic semifinals.
Photo: Kenji Demura/Photosport Ltd 2021
The Black Ferns Sevens accounted for the Russians 36-0 in today's quarterfinal, leading 17-0 at halftime after tries to Theresa Fitzpatrick, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Gayle Broughton and Michaela Blyde.
Portia Woodman scored a double after the main break, with Ruby Tui also crossing as the New Zealanders wrapped up the win.
The victory was a repeat of the Black Ferns Sevens' final pool match against the same team, delayed one and a half hours due to the threat of lightning, but won 33-0 by the New Zealanders.
Once it was deemed safe to kick-off, New Zealand ran away with a 33-0 win. Tui and Stacey Fluhler scoring two tries each, while Woodman also dotted down.
The Black Ferns will play Fiji in tomorrow's semifinal, after their 14-12 quarterfinal upset over defending Olympic champions Australia.
"We are just focusing on the here and now," New Zealand's Sarah Hirini said.
"A few girls were (in Rio), a few weren't. They are just excited to be on the field here in Tokyo. We've got to throw everything at this next game, it's do-or-die now."
-RNZ/Reuters