New Zealand close in on Rio 2016 by Dominating #Canada7s

New Zealand Dominates Canada 7sNew Zealand claimed the fourth round of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Canada after defeating Russia in the Cup final on Sunday, 29-10.

Playing in their first women’s series final, Russia were brave but easily defeated as prolific scorers Kayla McAlister and Portia Woodman put them to the sword in Westhills Stadium, the home of Rugby Canada.

It now means New Zealand are well on their way to securing their place at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, with mathematical confirmation highly likely at the next round in London.

A day of upsets saw Australia finish the weekend in seventh place, while hosts Canada, who impressed on day one in front of their home crowd, were knocked out of the cup by a very focused England team in the quarter-final stages, before losing in the plate final to rivals USA. They finished the weekend in sixth position. England beat France 19-7 in the third place play-off.

It now means New Zealand is top of the standings with Canada in second place, Australia in third and France, who were narrowly denied a place in the cup final by Russia, remain in fourth. The top four teams at the end of the series in May will automatically go through to Rio 2016. Crucially, heading into the next round in London, England and USA are tied on points, but the English lie in fifth place on points difference.

Before USA lifted the Plate in front of a packed house in Langford, B.C., the Bowl Final was claimed by Spain after they defeated Brazil, 14-12.

View full results from #Canada7s.

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