March 4, 2017
USA Women’s Sevens to Play for Bronze after Narrow Loss to New Zealand
Doug Coil
After earning a silver medal at the Sydney Sevens, there was great anticipation of the USA Women’s Sevens playing New Zealand in the Cup Semi-finals. This is a repeat of the Cup Semi-finals from the Sydney Sevens. With a win the USA, will accomplish something they have not done before, reaching the Cup Finals for two consecutive series stops. Both teams are playing some excellent rugby and it should be a match that should not be missed.
The USA Women’s Sevens has been rapidly improving after some turnover in the team after the Olympics.
For those who are not at the USA Sevens, the Rugby Channel have been streaming all the women’s matches.
USA v New Zealand
The USA Women’s Eagles Alev Kelter turner the ball over on a tackle and Nava Tapper ran to within 10 meters of the line. Kristen Thomas took the ball from the breakdown and left a defender wide for a try under the posts. Nicole Heavirland converted for a 7-0 lead at two minutes.
New Zealand answered back two minutes later off a turnover as Michaela Blyde went in for a try. Tyla Nathan-Wong’s conversion was wide. New Zealand almost scored in the corner prior to halftime, but a TMO showed that the balls was fumbled forward in the grounding attempt. At halftime the score remained 7-5 in favor of the Eagles 7s.
New Zealand added another try as Niall Williams dummied and went in for the try. Tyla Nathan-Wong converted and the Black Ferns took a 12-7 lead.
The USA made crunching tackles as they fought with New Zealand for the ball. After a scrum to the Eagles, Kelter found a gap and New Zealand poached at the breakdown. That was the Eagles last threat as the match ended with a New Zealand 12-7 win.
The USA will play rivals Canada for the bronze at 5:40pm PT, while New Zealand will play Australia at 6:08pm PT for the gold.
Women’s Eagles Sevens: 1. Cheta Emba 2. Kelly Griffin 3. Kate Zackary 4. Nicole Heavirland 5. Ryan Carlyle 6. Alev Kelter (C) 7. Naya Tapper 8. Kelsi Stockert 9. Joanne Fa’avesi 10. Bulou Mataitoga 11. Kristen Thomas 12. Nicole Snyder
