New Zealand triumphed over Canada with a score of 19-12 in the women's rugby sevens final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Tuesday, securing their second consecutive gold medal in the event. The victory marks a repeat performance from the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.
In an interview with CGTN Sports Scene's Greg Laffradi, New Zealand's Risi Pouri-Lane and Michaela Blyde expressed their elation at winning gold once more in Paris, discussing the challenges they faced and their insights on the Chinese team they overcame in the quarterfinals.
Pouri-Lane and Sarah Hirini co-captained the New Zealand team at the Paris Olympics, a new role for Pouri-Lane. \"Risi has been someone who has stepped into some very big shoes,\" Blyde said. \"With Sarah tearing her ACL in December, we had to really get behind Risi and support her. It's a huge role at a young age during a crucial time in our careers preparing for the Olympic Games. But Risi's just someone who excels under pressure.\"
Rugby is an intensely physical sport, and the players bear the marks of their dedication with bruises and scars. Blyde added, \"That's the nature of the game. You get all these bruises and cuts and scars, but it's about who can be mentally and physically the toughest on the field.\"
New Zealand's dominant performance continued as they defeated China 55-5 in the quarterfinals. Despite the lopsided score, both Pouri-Lane and Blyde highlighted the Chinese team's significant talent and potential. \"The score doesn't reflect the talent in the Chinese team. They've got a lot of skill and natural ability,\" Pouri-Lane commented. \"They've made us work for that win, and with a few years on the World Series, they'll definitely be a very competitive team. They're already making upsets in this Olympic campaign, and I'm excited to see their continued growth.\"
China achieved their best-ever performance in the women's rugby sevens event, finishing sixth overall at the Paris Games. This promising result signals a bright future for the Chinese team as they continue to develop and compete on the global stage.
Reference(s):
Olympic women's rugby sevens champs New Zealand see potential in China
cgtn.com
