Source: Wojie Photography

New Zealand win in Atlanta and edge closer to Olympic qualification

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A day of sensational rugby in Atlanta finished with New Zealand winning the third round of this year’s series and edging closer to Olympic qualification. The reigning champions beat hosts USA 50-12 in front of a raucous crowd in the sunshine in America’s deep south. Kayla McAlister was named MVP for the tournament.

With qualification for the Olympic Games on offer for the top four teams at the end of the series, it means New Zealand edge ever closer to Rio 2016 as they now sit on top of the standings with 60 points. With three rounds played and three to go the table now looks like this:

Standings

Team

Points

1 New Zealand 60
2 Canada 48
3 Australia 48
4 France 38
5 USA 36
6 England 32
7 Russia 28
8 Fiji 18
9 Brazil 16
10 Spain 8
11 South Africa 5
12 China 5

Sean Horan’s team are now unbeaten in 33 straight World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series matches.

The home team shocked the series early in the day, when Ric Suggit’s charges beat Australia 10-5 in the day’s third quarter final.

Elsewhere, a thrilling finish saw Fiji’s women beat a resilient Spanish side 17-12 in the Bowl final, before Australia beat France to win the Plate. Canada finished an impressive tournament in 3rd place after beating Russia 28-17.

The action now heads to round four of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Langford, Victoria, Canada on 18 and 19 April, which will be another important stop on the road to Rio.

All matches from the series will again be streamed live around the world on worldrugby.org News access footage from both the men’s and women’s series is available for broadcasters and media organisations. Please contact helen@proactivetv.co.uk for more details.