Atlanta Sevens NZ 52 - SA nil

...They started a little sloppy, but by the end of the first day of the Atlanta Sevens there was no doubting the kind of form New Zealand is in.

Sean Horan's New Zealand women's sevens team racked up 126 points in pool play to ease into Monday's quarterfinals with a three-win, zero-loss record.

Capping the day with a blistering 57-0 win over the United States, New Zealand appear to be rising to another level, making them the team to beat in Atlanta.

Earlier they had struggled past Russia in their opening match 17-14, but found their feet against South Africa, winning 52-0.

Then came that final match of the day.

You have to feel sorry for the Americans. They had no idea what was about to hit them.

The USA sit sixth on the world series table, ahead of Russia, so a tight match seemed on the cards after New Zealand's opening match in Atlanta.

In truth, the match was never close.

Kayla McAlister opened the scoring in the second minute with what would be the first of nine tries scored by New Zealand.

Portia Woodman had a double before halftime, taking her tally to five tries in three games, and Kelly Brazier also got in on the act.

    After the break the sisters stepped it up a gear, if that was even possible.

McAlister and Brazier got their doubles while Michaela Blyde also crossed the line, and Ruby Tui grabbed a second half brace.

The raw power and pace of the New Zealand team was proving unstoppable, with McAlister and Woodman in particular a deadly one-two combination.

When the team starts clicking like they did against the USA, it's kind of unfair. 

In winning Pool A, New Zealand set up a quarterfinal clash with minnows Brazil at 5am Monday (NZ time).

Victory shouldn't be a problem, meaning a semifinal against Canada or France will be on the cards at 8.50am.

The Atlanta Sevens final is at 12.24pm Monday.

 - Stuff

 This is a minor competition - with none of our top flight Sevens players involved.   They probably just send a few youngsters to gain experience to represent the SA team - so I would not put too much faith in this one.  

Oumaaik, with all due respect, I do hope that you know that we're talking about the meisiekinds & not the fellas ............. last time I saw a 'Bok female xv' I was disappointed & alarmed at their overall poor, but to be put it kindly, plentiful physiques . In comparison some of the Kiwi birds could easily slot into a number of their male counterpart teams.

..............

 Ja Cloudy, I'm sure you know that I wasn't attempting to be a smartass or sarcastic . Some of these ladies are superb players & undoubtedly deserve a better contest than what's currently on offer .  

Is Kayla McAlister related to Luke?

 

Sevens sister Kayla McAlister aiming to emulate All Black ...

Ten years ago, Kayla McAlister was hiding under her bed to avoid going to rugby training with her father and her All Black brother.

Her dad Charlie played for Taranaki against the '81 Boks .