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Chad Hipolito/AP
New Zealand’s Michaela Blyde scored the first two tries in their semifinal win over France.
The Black Ferns Sevens’ bid for a third straight Rugby World Cup Sevens title is well and truly on.
New Zealand thumped France in a rematch of the 2018 women’s final in San Francisco, winning 38-7 in Cape Town on Sunday night (NZ time).
They will face the winner of the second semifinal between Australia and the United States in Monday’s final at 6.17am (NZT).
New Zealand got off to a perfect start with Michaela Blyde showing off her tremendous pace to race clear on the outside, breaking away to score the opening try of the game.
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France hit back immediately through a try to Joanna Grisez, who was too quick for the New Zealand defence.
It didn’t take long for Blyde to make an impact again, finishing off with her electric speed after strong earlier lead-up work from Kelly Brazier.
With the final play of the first half, New Zealand scored a crucial try with skipper Sarah Hirini slipping through a gap to give them a 21-7 halftime lead.
A fourth try to the Kiwis to open the second half, courtesy of Shiray Kaka, further extended New Zealand’s lead – all but putting them into the final.
It got worse for France with Jazmin Felix-Hotham scoring a stellar individual try, getting around a French defender and punishing them with her pace.
New Zealand capped off a memorable win with Kaka adding her second late in the game to guarantee their spot in the decider.
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