Australia defeated New Zealand 24-15 to win the first-ever Olympic women’s rugby sevens gold medal on Monday.
With New Zealand’s Portia Woodman stuck in the penalty sin bin, Evania Pelite scored on the final play of the first half to send Australia into halftime leading 10-5.
Elia Green, who is considered the fastest woman in rugby, scored a try for Australia early in the second half with Woodman still sidelined. When Woodman returned, Charlotte Caslick scored a try for Australia to extend the lead.
This was the inaugural Olympic women’s rugby sevens tournament. Rugby was last played at the Olympics in 1924, when men played the 15-a-side version of the sport.
Canada convincingly won the bronze medal by defeating Great Britain 33-10. Ghislaine Landry led Canada with two tries and four conversions.
Earlier on Monday, the U.S. women’s rugby team defeated France 19-5 to finish fifth in the Olympic standings. Alev Kelter, Jessica Javelet and Joanne Fa’avesi scored tries for the U.S.