Rugby sevens: Black Ferns Sevens advance to Vancouver final with semi victory over hosts Canada

Black Ferns Sevens have advanced into their world series final at Vancouver with a hardfought 15-7 victory Canada in the semi-finals.

The NZ women struck quickly, turning over the ball in a tackle and sending speedster Michael Blyde over in the left corner for the opening try.

Moments later, Blyde doubled down, popping up on the right side and fending off the last defender for her second try.

Canada struck back after the halftime siren, when Tenika Willison was held up centimetres from their goal-line and Krissy Scurfield broke the length of the field to close within 10-7 at the break.

From the restart, the Kiwis retained possession and Jorja Miller sliced through the Canadian defensive line, before veteran Portia Woodman-Wickliffe loomed for the try. None were converted, leaving the door ajar for the hosts.

New Zealand let their rivals back into the game, when their confusion saw them forced back deep into their own half, but Piper Logan was driven into touch in goal by Manaia Nuku to relieve the threat.

As the final siren sounded, Woodman-Wickliffe kicked to touch, as the reigning series champions and Vancouver winners last year progressed to their first final since Dubai in December, when they lost to Australia.

The Black Ferns Sevens will face France in the final, after they defeated Australia 21-19 in a gutbusting semi-final, with Dominique du Toit missing a difficult conversion that would have levelled scores in the dying seconds.

The NZ men face France for a spot in the men's final.

New Zealand 15 (Blyde 2 & Woodman-Wickliffe tries) Canada 7 (Scurfield try; Daniels conversion)

Black Ferns Sevens have advanced into their world series final at Vancouver with a hardfought 15-7 victory Canada in the semi-finals.

The NZ women struck quickly, turning over the ball in a tackle and sending speedster Michael Blyde over in the left corner for the opening try.

Moments later, Blyde doubled down, popping up on the right side and fending off the last defender for her second try.

Canada struck back after the halftime siren, when Tenika Willison was held up centimetres from their goal-line and Krissy Scurfield broke the length of the field to close within 10-7 at the break.

From the restart, the Kiwis retained possession and Jorja Miller sliced through the Canadian defensive line, before veteran Portia Woodman-Wickliffe loomed for the try. None were converted, leaving the door ajar for the hosts.

New Zealand let their rivals back into the game, when their confusion saw them forced back deep into their own half, but Piper Logan was driven into touch in goal by Manaia Nuku to relieve the threat.

As the final siren sounded, Woodman-Wickliffe kicked to touch, as the reigning series champions and Vancouver winners last year progressed to their first final since Dubai in December, when they lost to Australia.

The Black Ferns Sevens will face France in the final, after they defeated Australia 21-19 in a gutbusting semi-final, with Dominique du Toit missing a difficult conversion that would have levelled scores in the dying seconds.

The NZ men face France for a spot in the men's final.

New Zealand 15 (Blyde 2 & Woodman-Wickliffe tries) Canada 7 (Scurfield try; Daniels conversion)

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