Black Ferns Sevens through to semis

12:25 am on 31 July 2021

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.

Ruby Tui during New Zealand's pool match against ROC at Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan on Manday 30th July 2021.

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