New Zealand retain Olympic women’s rugby sevens title

New Zealand retained their women’s rugby sevens Olympic crown with a 19-12 win against Canada.

Canada led 12-7 at half-time but the reigning champions fought back with tries from Michaela Blyde and Stacey Waaka.

It is the Black Ferns’ third rugby sevens Olympic medal after also securing silver at Rio 2016.

The USA took bronze – their first Olympic rugby sevens medal – by beating Australia 14-12.

With Australia closing in on victory, the USA’s Alex Sedrick broke away from the defence to level the scores with a try before clinching the game with a conversion.

Great Britain, who were eliminated by the USA in Monday’s quarter-finals, finished seventh after beating eighth-placed Ireland 28-12.