(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Theirs has been a running rivalry across different spheres of sport and quite fittingly, the two best women's rugby sevens sides, squared off in the Cup final.
But this trans-Tasman battle between Australia and New Zealand didn't quite flame up largely because the latter didn't allow the Wallabies even a whiff.
The Black Ferns Sevens had all their bases covered as they went on to land the spoils in the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, the first round of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series, at The Sevens Stadium on Friday.
Australia were coming in with a massive reputation, a purple patch culminating in Olympic gold. But it was the New Zealanders, bested in that final in Rio, who covered themselves in gold dust, on the night.
The Black Ferns Sevens played a highly tactical game and broke down any ambition Australia could muster and snuffed them out before it could turn dangerous.
Portia Goodman, the top points scorer and try scorer of all-time in the Sevens Series, as well as Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga scored a brace of tries, while Tyla Nathan-Wong, the top goal scorer of all-time, made a conversion as New Zealand avenged their Olympics loss 17-5.
The title triumph also nudged the Black Ferns Sevens ahead of Australia in terms of Dubai Rugby Sevens titles won. They now have three in their trophy cabinet, one more than their opponents across the Tasman Sea.
Earlier, in what was an Ashes rivalry played out on a rugby pitch, the Wallabies saw off England, while the Black Ferns sent Russia packing.
Tiana Penitani scored two tries at the fag end of the game, while Chloe Dalton made two conversions, the second one in final play, as Australia won 31-10. Charlotte Caslick, the World Rugby Player of the Year as well as the exciting young talent Emma Tonegato and Mahalia Murphy scored one try each.
It was England who made the first foray in the opening minute as they came close to the line but the Australian backs defended well to ward off the challenge.
And they went on the counter with Charlotte Caslick going on to score the 40th try of her Sevens Series career to put the Aussies ahead on two minutes. Dalton made the conversion as they went 7-0 up.
But it still was a slender lead though with just minutes left in the half and so it proved as England got onto the scoresheet through Abbie Brown. And even though Alice Richardson missed the conversion, England had cut the deficit down to two points.
But Tonegato helped the Australians pull away by scoring her seventh try of the weekend on eight minutes and they went into the break 12-5. Penitani then scored twin tries on nine and 11 minutes, the second one with an amazing run, as the Wallabies moved even further away to 22-5, after which Emilee Cherry made the conversion to make it 24-5.
England's Natasha Brennan got her fifth try of the weekend on 14 minutes as England chipped into Australia's lead. But with Lauren Cattell missing the conversion and with time running out, a final spot disappeared into the distance.
Murphy then scored a try and Dalton wrapped things up for Australia with the conversion.
Meanwhile, Michaela Blyde followed up the hat-trick against France in Pool play, with two more tries the day, as the Black Ferns Sevens cruised past Russia 24-5.
Apart from Blyde, Nathan-Wong made two conversions. Katarina Whata-Simpkins and Woodman had a try each.
Earlier, in the quarterfinal, New Zealand had blanked South Africa 39-0, while Australia whipped France 42-0.
Meanwhile, Russia won the bronze by defeating England 17-14. Ireland beat Spain 14-12 to win the Challenge Trophy.
james@khaleejtime
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