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New Zealand tops Canada for back-to-back Olympic women's rugby sevens titles

Published:Tuesday | July 30, 2024 | 1:41 PM
New Zealand's Michaela Blyde runs onto score a try during the women's gold medal Rugby Sevens match between New Zealand and Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — New Zealand clinched back-to-back Olympic women's rugby sevens titles with a 19-12 win over Canada on Tuesday in front of more than 60,000 spectators at Stade de France.

Canada was coming off upset wins over host France and 2016 champion Australia to reach the final for the first time.

The Canadians had a halftime lead against the New Zealanders, but the champions rallied with two second-half tries to retain the title they won in Tokyo three years ago.

The US women won their first Olympic rugby sevens medal with a last-minute 14-12 upset win over Australia in the third-place playoff.

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