England Women Sevens finished sixth at HSBC Sydney Sevens after two defeats in Australia on day two.
After a 33-0 win over Russia and a 26-5 victory over Japan on day one, England went into the game against a New Zealand side who led the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series knowing that whoever won would top the pool and progress to the cup semi-final.
It was the Black Ferns who would cross first in Australia as Kelly Brazier stepped smartly close to the try line to get the first points.
England got on the scoresheet shortly afterwards when a well worked move was finished off on the right wing by Deborah Fleming, before Heather Fisher’s burst through the defence and offload allowed Helena Rowland to sprint away under the sticks, and then some superb defence saw them sit 12-7 up at the break.
Niall Williams latched onto an attacking move from the Kiwis from deep as they retook the lead before Theresa Fitzpatrick’s spin close to the line got their fourth score.
Stacey Fluher’s finish out wide finished the scoring as New Zealand topped the pool with a 12-26 victory.
England were then placed in the fifth place play-off against Fiji where, despite a bright start, they were behind through Lavenia Tinai’s try.
Luisa Tisolo’s footwork bought her the space to run into before Tokasa Seniyasi was able to run in around the outside as the Pacific Islanders won 5-17, as Beth Wilcock got a consolation effort for England with the last play of the game.
Head coach Charlie Hayter said: “Although the end result of the Sydney leg shows us finishing in the same place as we did last week in Hamilton, the performances and growth shown this weekend is remarkably different.
“I’m proud of the effort and intent of the squad on and off the field this week as we continue on our World Series journey.
“We’ve now got some time to build towards an exciting addition to the series as Hong Kong welcomes the women for the first time.”
Squad
Abbie Brown (C)
Abi Burton
Heather Fisher
Deborah Fleming
Sydney Gregson
Megan Jones
Ellie Kildunne
Georgie Lingham (Saracens Women)
Alex Matthews
Jodie Ounsley
Helena Rowland
Beth Wilcock
Amy Wilson Hardy
Schedule
Pool A – England 33-0 Russia
Tries: Fleming ‘2, Jones ‘4, Matthews ‘6, Rowland ‘9, Brown ’13
Pool A – England 26-5 Japan
Tries: Matthews ‘7, Wilson Hardy ‘9, Rowland ’12, Kildunne ’16
Pool A – England 12-26 New Zealand
Tries: Fleming ‘4, Rowland ‘7
Fifth place play-off – England 5-17 Fiji
Tries: Wilcock ’16
Courtesy of World Rugby
