15 May 2014

NZ women up for top sevens award

12:22 pm on 15 May 2014

Two New Zealanders are in the running for the the IRB's women's sevens player of the year award.

Sarah Goss and fellow New Zealander Kayla McAlister, the 2013 winner, have been shortlisted for the award, alongside Australia's Emilee Cherry and Charlotte Caslick.

The four players have each helped their respective sides win two of the four rounds of the current world series, and were voted onto the shortlist by the management staff of the teams competing against them.

The winner will be announced on Sunday at the conclusion of the Amsterdam Sevens, the final round of the world series.

Goss, the New Zealand vice-captain, is described as a hard worker and uncompromisingly tough tackler and has been compared to the All Blacks Sevens captain DJ Forbes for her work ethic and value to the team.

McAlister, the recipient of the first Women's Sevens Player of the Year Award in 2013, after only a year in the sport, has scored 20 more tries this season.

A former netballer inspired to try sevens by the lure of the Olympics, her quick feet and vision have split many a defence and led to numerous tries for the world champions.