Australia has been crowned in Dubai as the first ever winners of the women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens title.
The Australians triumphed 15-10 over New Zealand in sudden death extra time with Shelly Matcham scoring the decisive try after both sides ended regulation time locked at 10-10.
“This is unbelievable,” said Australian captain Cheryl Soon before lifting the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens trophy.
“Words can’t describe this moment.
“We made it happen, we believed in ourselves, we did make history.
“I’m just so happy, so excited. I’m elated.”
Australia made a strong start to the final with 20-year-old Nicole Beck, one of several recruits from touch football, crossing in the second minute.
Debby Hodgkinson powered across four minutes later to put the Australians ahead 10-0.
The loss of Rebecca Tavo to the sin bin left the Australians one short for two minutes and, in her absence, New Zealand capitalized.
They scored moments before half time through Justine Lavea and again 17 seconds after the resumption when flyer Carla Hohepa swooped on a kickoff mishandled by the Australians.
There was no further scoring in regulation time, leaving Matcham to collect the Golden Point try that delivered the greatest moment in the history of Australian Women’s Rugby.
WOMEN’S CUP COMPETITION
Quarter finals
AUSTRALIA 17 (Tobie McGann, Nicole Beck, Rebecca Tavo tries; Tobie McGann conversion) def England 10
USA 19 France 0
New Zealand 33 Canada 12
South Africa 15 Spain 7
Semi finals
AUSTRALIA 19 (Rebecca Tavo, Bo de la Cruz, Tricia Brown tries; Tobie McGann, Tricia Brown conversions) def South Africa 10
New Zealand 14 USA 12
Final
AUSTRALIA 15 (Nicole Beck, Debby Hodgkinson, Shelly Matcham tries) def New Zealand 10.
