Australia’s women’s rugby sevens team has won the World Cup in Cape Town, securing a narrow victory over New Zealand in the final.
The nail-biting final finished with a 24-22 score, with Australia coming away with the win on Sunday (Monday AEST).
The World Cup means the Australian women’s team has secured three international tournament wins this season or a “triple crown”, including at the Commonwealth Games and world series titles.
Australia has been dominant on the sevens circuit recently, but still had to fight tooth and nail to overcome the New Zealand team. The World Cup win is the first Australia has won since 2009.
The Australians had to hold off the determined Kiwis until the very end of the game, when New Zealand’s Tenika Willison missed a conversion attempt that could have seen the game go into extra time.
“We spoke a lot about the 2009 girls today, doing it for them and everyone back home who has left the legacy before us so we can continue it on,” said Australian player Charlotte Caslick after the final.
“The legacy of this Australian women’s sevens is pretty f****** awesome!”
Australian rugby legend Sharni Williams was named player of the final.
“It’s a tough battle always with our rivals of New Zealand. It’s just that skill and execution…it became a really great testament to what rugby sevens is,” Williams said.
“Man, this group. I love these girls. They keep me young, you know, old girl, new tricks. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks but you definitely can with this group – I’ve been getting my TikToks out. They get me in my uncomfortable zone.”