The two teams have shared some dramatic and closely fought encounters in the past, including New Zealand's dramatic comeback victory in the Dubai leg, in December.

It was, therefore, no surprise that final of the Brazil stop of the series proved to be another epic match, as despite trailing 10-0 at half time, Australia clawed their way back into the match with two quick-fire tries, after the break, to level the scores.

Australia were unable to continue their momentum as player of the tournament Portia Woodman went over the try line for New Zealand, with the conversion giving them a 17-10 victory.

"It was a real final - we knew it was going to be a game of chess," said Sean Horan, New Zealand's coach.

"We were not lucky, but we got the rub of the green in the first half and that got the momentum going."

Australia are second in the standings ©World Rugby



World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset was full of praise for standard of the competition, as the countdown continues to rugby sevens debut at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero next year.

"This weekend in Brazil we witnessed yet another great display of what the women's series is all about – intensity, energy, high skills levels and passionate performances," Lapasset said.

"We can see the step-up at each round and this was typified with another thrilling final between New Zealand and Australia."

After meeting each other in the first two finals of the six leg series, New Zealand and Australia occupy the top two positions in the overall standings, with Canada and France in third and fourth respectively, after Canada beat their European rivals to third in Dubai and Brazil.

The teams will hope to maintain their positions in the four automatic qualifying slots for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2015: Hosts Brazil reach World Rugby Women's Sevens quarter-finals
December 2014: Remarkable New Zealand comeback stuns Australia at World Rugby Women's Sevens in Dubai
December 2014: Australia lead after opening day at Women's Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai
December 2014: Women's Sevens Series travels to Dubai as Olympic qualification gets underway
October 2014: Women's rugby sevens confirmed for Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games