Watch all the action live here. Every game of the men's and women's Rugby World Cup Sevens will be live from July 21-23 on TVNZ's Duke channel - Freeview 13, Sky 23, and streaming on tvnz.co.nz.

TRY! A little too late from the US as Lauren Doyle scores a consolation try after NZ secure their spot in the women's final.

TRY! Portia Woodman scores the decisive try after Sarah Goss creates the space for the speedster to score close to the goal posts.

TRY! New Zealand go end-to-end with Gayle Broughton side-stepping her way through USA's defence before powering her way over the try-line to give New Zealand the lead.

TRY! It is a tight contest and New Zealand's Ruby Tui scores a much needed try for the Black Ferns just before the break. Tyla Nathan-Wong misses her shot at goal from the sideline.

TRY! Naya Tapper scores her second try of the match, brushing off New Zealand's star speedster Portia Woodman with ease and the home team hit the front.

TRY! Naya Tapper strikes back for the US, opting to go around the New Zealand defenders - she shows some great wheels to beat some of New Zealand's best defenders. The conversion is good and the scores are level.

TRY! Michaela Blyde dots down under the goal posts scoring the first try of the second semi-final. The conversion is good from Tyla Nathan-Wong.

TRY! Audrey Anne Cecile Ciofani scores the match winner to secure France's spot in the women's final. The Black Ferns are now up against USA.

TRY! Australia make a great steal at line-out time and Evania Pelite slices through the French defence and scores the first try of the first semi-final. The conversion is good.

Another close match which goes right down to the wire. Ireland upset Russia and manage to hold them out to get a 20-15 win.

The crowd comes to life as Japan come from behind to win their Challenge quarter-final against heavy favourites Fiji.

Papua New Guinea come up short as they leave their comeback too late. Brazil secure their first win of the tournament. The New Zealand women will take on USA at 7.04am (NZ time) in the championship semi-final.

South Africa were simply the better side wth Mexico barely getting a touch in the second half. Up next Papua New Guinea take on Brazil.

South Africa run in three tries in the first and the women from Mexico are just not getting anything go there way. South Africa are just too big and too strong. </s> New Zealand's Selica Winiata scores a try against England during their Women's Rugby World Cup final in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — New Zealand restored its supremacy in women's rugby by relieving England of the World Cup by 41-32 in the final on Saturday.

After winning four straight Women's Rugby World Cups, beating England in three finals, the Black Ferns failed to make the semifinals in 2014 and watched England triumph in Paris.

But in benign conditions in Belfast, the New Zealanders came from 14 points down in a grinding first half to win comfortably in the end by nine.

It was only after they scored their seventh and last try, a second by fullback Selica Winiata from a cross-kick by flyhalf Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, in the 69th minute that the Black Ferns made certain of their record-extending fifth title.

New Zealand 41 (Toka Natua 3, Selica Winiata 2, Charmaine Smith, Kendra Cocksedge tries; Cocksedge 3 conversions), England 32 (Lydia Thompson 2, Isabelle Noel-Smith tries; penalty try; Emily Scarratt 2 conversions, 2 penalties). HT: 10-17 </s> New Zealand wrecked England's hopes of retaining the Women's Rugby World Cup in a pulsating final at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

The Red Roses had high hopes of keeping an unforgettable summer of English women's sport in full bloom, following cricket World Cup success, a European Championship semi-final appearance by England's footballers and Johanna Konta becoming the first British women's singles semi-finalist since 1978.

But it was not to be as the Black Ferns overturned a seven-point interval deficit to triumph 41-32.

Prop Toka Natua led the way, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while there were also touchdowns for full-back Selica Winiata (two), lock Charmaine Smith and scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge, with Cocksedge adding three conversions.

Wing Lydia Thompson scored two tries for England, in addition to a seven-point penalty try, plus a late Izzy Noel-Smith touchdown, and full-back Emily Scarratt booted two penalties and two conversions, yet New Zealand were not to be denied a fifth world title.

Some England players now face an uncertain future - Rugby Foootball Union policy means that existing 15-a-side contracts will switch to sevens for the next two years - but such debate is for another day.

England gave it everything, but they had no answer in the second half, conceding 31 points as New Zealand's superior pace and power left them reeling. </s> New Zealand wrecked England's hopes of retaining the Women's Rugby World Cup in a pulsating final at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

The Red Roses had high hopes of keeping an unforgettable summer of English women's sport in full bloom, following cricket World Cup success, a European Championship semi-final appearance by England's footballers and Johanna Konta becoming the first British women's singles semi-finalist since 1978.

But it was not to be as the Black Ferns overturned a seven-point interval deficit to triumph 41-32.

Prop Toka Natua led the way, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while there were also touchdowns for full-back Selica Winiata (two), lock Charmaine Smith and scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge, with Cocksedge adding three conversions.

Wing Lydia Thompson scored two tries for England, in addition to a seven-point penalty try, plus a late Izzy Noel-Smith touchdown, and full-back Emily Scarratt booted two penalties and two conversions, yet New Zealand were not to be denied a fifth world title.

Some England players now face an uncertain future - Rugby Foootball Union policy means that existing 15-a-side contracts will switch to sevens for the next two years - but such debate is for another day.

England gave it everything, but they had no answer in the second half, conceding 31 points as New Zealand's superior pace and power left them reeling.

Both teams went into the final with unbeaten records, winning all three of their pool games prior to the semi-finals,

England boss Simon Middleton made an enforced change from the semi-final victory over France, moving Scarratt to full-back as replacement for a concussed Danielle Waterman, while Megan Jones was drafted into midfield alongside Rachel Burford.

And England blasted out of the blocks, creating immediate pressure through their forwards following a superbly placed Katy Mclean kick, and free-scoring New Zealand were immediately forced into defensive mode.

But the Black Ferns struck from their first attack when fly-half Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali kicked cleverly into space and Winiata showed England's defence a clean pair of heels for an opening try inside 10 minutes.

Scarratt suffered a knock in trying to stem the New Zealand tide, but she was okay to continue after treatment as England looked to assert themselves on the contest, and she opened England's account through a 14th-minute penalty.

New Zealand were then reduced to 14 players after flanker Sarah Goss was harshly yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Mclean, and England, having dominated early territory, knew they needed to make that advantage count.

But they duly delivered, with England's pack exerting sustained pressure near New Zealand's line before referee Joy Neville awarded a penalty try, which meant the holders led 10-5.

The Black Ferns could not escape from England's grasp, and the Red Roses struck again nine minutes before half-time when centre Rachael Burford broke through in midfield and Mclean sent Thompson over via a supremely timed pass.

Scarratt's touchline conversion underlined England's supremacy, and New Zealand had it all to do, with the final beginning to drift away from them.

They responded, though, right on cue, with Natua crashing over from close range and England's advantage was trimmed to seven points at half-time, with the Red Roses leading 17-10.

And it got worse for England within five minutes of the restart, as New Zealand forward pressure resulted in a second try for Natua, with Cocksedge adding the conversion and the Black Ferns starting to enjoy considerable momentum.

A Scarratt penalty - via the post - put England back in front, yet it proved short-lived as New Zealand stormed back upfield and Smith touched down for her team's fourth try, with Cocksedge adding the conversion for a 24-20 lead.

The game now had no pattern to it whatsoever, and England went back in front when Thompson sprinted over from 40 metres out, only for New Zealand to hit back almost immediately as Natua completed her hat-trick and Cocksedge converted for a six-point lead.

Cocksedge then added a try, and England could find no way back, their World Cup campaign falling at the final hurdle and world-ranked number one nation New Zealand underlining that status in style. </s> England put up a brave fight in the Women's Rugby World Cup final, but New Zealand were worthy winners for a fifth time.

Toka Natua scored a hat-trick as New Zealand came from behind to regain the Women's Rugby World Cup with a 41-32 victory over defending champions England at Belfast's Kingspan Stadium.

The Black Ferns won four World Cups in a row between 1998 and 2010, beating England in the final three times, but it was the Red Roses who triumphed at the last edition of the event three years ago.

Another England win appeared likely on Saturday when they responded to Selica Winiata's early try by opening up a 17-5 lead after 33 minutes, aided by a yellow card for Sarah Goss.

However, New Zealand came roaring back to secure a fifth title, with prop Natua doing much of the damage as she crossed on three occasions.

Kendra Cocksedge and Charmaine Smith also touched down for New Zealand, who were much the stronger in the second period.

Touchdowns from Lydia Thompson (2) and Izzy Noel-Smith, in addition to a penalty try, ultimately proved in vain for England. </s> SAN FRANCISCO — The Black Ferns stood shoulder to shoulder Saturday as their national anthem played and day turned to dusk by the San Francisco Bay. About 30 minutes later they stood shoulder to shoulder again, this time atop a podium with gold medals draped around their necks.

The final was one-way traffic as New Zealand blanked France 29-0 and became the first country to repeat as Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens champions.

Tournament high scorer Michaela Blyde added three more tries to her total as she finished with nine tries and 45 points. But this championship run was founded on a stout defense. The final marked the third shutout of the tournament for New Zealand after they outlasted host United States in a tense 26-21 semifinal win earlier in the day.

“To be here at a Rugby World Cup, come away with the win and retain the title_we’ve made history now,” Blyde. “We’re pretty happy with ourselves.”

Sixth-seeded France arrived in the final after stunning No. 2 seed Australia with a 19-12 win. France’s David Courteix was named coach of the tournament after leading his side past third-ranked Canada and Australia to reach the final.

“I’m very proud of the players each time,” Courteix said. “I think with the new (knockout) format there was a lot of pressure. I am very proud of their attitude.”

Australia edged USA 24-14 to claim the bronze medal with Elia Green scoring a brace of tries for the Olympic champions.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> England lost 32-41 to New Zealand in the Women's Rugby World Cup final at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Former Hartpury College students Sarah Bern, who will play for Gloucester-Hartpury next season, Megan Jones, Natasha Hunt, Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews were in the England side.

Selica Winiata’s try after eight minutes gave the Black Ferns the lead but England were on the scoreboard through Emily Scarratt’s penalty.After Black Ferns flanker Sarah Goss was sent to the sin bin for her tackle on Katy Mclean, England took full advantage and got their first try from a five metre scrum when the referee awarded a penalty try.A Rachael Burford break eventually set up Lydia Thompson who finished out wide, but Toka Natua’s score for the Kiwis meant a 17-10 half-time lead for the Red Roses .Natua’s second levelled the game up before another Scarratt penalty edged England ahead, but Charmaine Smith’s try pushed the Black Ferns in front again.Thompson’s stunning second score, when she raced in down the right touchline, restored England's lead but the New Zealand prop Natua got her hat-trick, and then Kendra Cocksedge and a second from Winiata secured the win and their fifth Women's Rugby World Cup title, despite Izzy Noel-Smith's late score for the Red Roses.





England Women head coach Simon Middleton said: “I couldn’t be prouder as the girls gave everything they could. There was no shortage of heart, energy and passion.



“We just couldn’t get enough possession in the second-half to be able to turn the game how we wanted.



“We’ve had a fantastic year with the things we achieved, we pulled up short tonight but we’ve been everywhere and played everyone and until tonight we’ve been successful.



“I thought it was an amazing occasion for the game with the energy in the stadium and it was fantastic game for the spectators to watch”



England Women captain Sarah Hunter added: "The score line suggests a fantastic game of rugby; I’m not sure a Women’s Rugby World Cup final has seen a score like that before.



"We came here with one goal and we have just pulled up a little bit short and fair play to New Zealand they really took it to us.



"Rugby is a really hard game to play without the ball and in that second-half we did not have the ball; that was partly our fault and partly the pressure they put on us.



"Gutted is an understatement but we will move on from this. 



"The support back home has been phenomenal and I can’t thank people enough." </s> Megan Jones will start at outside centre for England in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand.

England head coach Simon Middleton has chosen the 20-year-old after Danielle Waterman was ruled out with concussion.

Jones is the only change to the XV that beat France in the semi-final, with Emily Scarratt moving to full-back and Amy Wilson-Hardy named on the bench.

"It's now about finishing the job and leaving nothing out on the field," said coach Middleton.

England will attempt to successfully defend their title against the Black Ferns, who have never lost a World Cup final.

The sides last met in June 2017, England scoring five tries to win 29-21 and end a five-game winning streak for the Kiwis.
• England's Waterman out of final with concussion
• Story of the first ever Women's World Cup </s> SAN FRANCISCO — The new knockout format didn’t claim any major upset victims during the first day of the Rugby World Cup Sevens on Friday.

The 24-team men’s field has been reduced to quarterfinalists while the 16-team women’s tournament will be decided among New Zealand, Australia, the United States and France on Saturday.

Siviwe Soyizwapi scored four tries to lead top men’s seed South Africa past Ireland 45-7, while No. 3 New Zealand dominated Russia 29-5 in its bid to become the first three-time men’s Rugby World Cup Sevens champions.

Second-seeded Fiji received a tough early test from Japan but pulled away with a relentless second half in a 35-10 win. Fiji coach Gareth Baber said his team isn’t viewing the World Cup as a bounce-back opportunity after the side lost its grasp on the World Series title last month.

“We had our disappointment with that,” Baber said. “But as a sportsperson you put that to bed and you move on to what the next job is.”

Reigning World Series player of the year Perry Baker scored two tries of 60-plus meters for the host American side in a 35-0 blanking of Wales. USA won their only World Series event earlier this year in front of their home fans in Las Vegas.

“You can’t help but love that and get that boost,” Baker said after taking a victory lap around AT&T Park, home of baseball’s San Francisco Giants.

“After winning Vegas, that shows we can win a tournament. After we won that, everybody was saying, ‘These guys got a chance to win the World Cup.’ People started really believing us and it shows that they showed up tonight to support us.”

No. 1 women’s seed New Zealand followed up a 57-0 win over Mexico in their opener with a 45-0 drubbing of an upstart Ireland squad that defeated England 19-14 earlier in the day. Michaela Blyde led all players with five tries in the two blowout wins for the Black Ferns, who won the Rugby Sevens World Cup in 2013 and will face USA in Saturday’s semifinals.

“Most of the crowd will be against us,” Blyde said. “We’re used to those sort of environments. It definitely brings out their strengths.”

Speedy wing Naya Tapper sparked the Americans with early breakaway scores in both of her side’s victories on Friday. USA also muscled their way past Russia for a couple of late tries in a 33-17 win.

“If you look our team, we got speedsters but we also got people who are just plowing through people,” Tapper said. “We got everything that you could possibly dream of. As long as we do what we need to do to...we’re unstoppable.”

If they get past the United States, the Black Ferns could be headed for another high-profile collision with archrival Australia in Saturday night’s final. The Australians outscored their opponents a combined 69-5 in their two Friday victories to earn a semifinal date with sixth-seeded France, which outlasted No. 3 seed Canada 24-19 in a tightly contested quarterfinal.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
New Zealand defeats France 29–0 in the final to win the 2018 women's Rugby World Cup Sevens.