New Zealand men and women triumph in Sevens event in Moscow.
After an enthralling tournament, New Zealand are both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 champions.
New Zealand’s men emerged victorious after beating England 33-0 on a rain-soaked pitch in Moscow to claim the Melrose Cup, while the women became world champions after they beat Canada 29-12.
In the women’s final, Portia Woodman and Kelly Brazier helped New Zealand to a 17-5 lead at half-time.
In the second half Woodman and then Kayla McAlister touched down to ensure New Zealand the victory.
Woodman’s double in the final meant she finished the tournament with 12 tries, easily beating the previous benchmark of 9.
From the moment Tim Mikkelson picked a good line and waltzed through the England defence to open the scoring, New Zealand were in control of the men’s final. Two more tries, from Tomasi Cama and Mikkelson again, gave New Zealand a 21-0 lead.
Any hopes of an England comeback were effectively extinguished with Waisake Naholo’s try two minutes into the second half.
England enjoyed their best period of pressure shortly afterwards, but were undone by a quick break from New Zealand, with Gillies Kaka touching down for the 33-0 win.
In the third place play-off Fiji beat Kenya 29-5, while Canada won the Plate, losing just one match all weekend to New Zealand, and there was celebration for the hosts Russia who won the Bowl.
