TOWNSVILLE, Australia (AP) — New Zealand dominated the Australian women’s side to hand the Rio Olympic gold medalists a 34-5 defeat at the Oceania Sevens rugby tournament on Saturday.
The New Zealand women turned back early Australian pressure and then turned its game over to a strong offensive attack, taking an early 22-0 lead. The win came in the third of six rounds during a three-day tournament featuring some of the Tokyo Olympics favorites in action.
“We were sitting there watching them, waiting for them to play . . . we have to start better,” Australia coach John Manenti said.
Fiji’s women’s side beat Oceania 21-12.
In the men’s tournament, the Rio Olympic-champion Fijians won their third consecutive match, handing New Zealand its first loss.
The Fijians led 21-19 after the fulltime siren with the Kiwis poised deep in their territory. After being awarded a penalty eight meters from the posts, New Zealand missed the game-tying drop-goal and Fiji held on for the two-point win.
The Australian men’s side won its first match, beating Oceania 28-12.
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