Olympic Rugby Sevens 2016: Medal Winners and Scores After Monday's Results

Tom BeckAug 8, 2016

Australia secured the gold medal in the women's rugby sevens final at the 2016 Summer Olympics with an emphatic 24-17 win over fierce rivals New Zealand on Monday at the Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The world champions were convincing in victory, with tough tackling and resilient defending throughout, as they absorbed pressure to claim the top spot on the rostrum in the southern hemisphere classic.

Canada secured the final place on the podium earlier in the evening with a dominant showing over Great Britain, downing their opponents 33-10 in the bronze-medal match.

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Here are the results from Monday's event:

Match	Team	Result	Team
Semi-Final 1	Australia	17-5	Canada
Semi-Final 2	New Zealand	25-7	Great Britain
Bronze Medal	Canada	33-10	Great Britain
Gold Medal	Australia	24-17	New Zealand

Recap

Kayla McAlister crossed the line to break the deadlock for the Black Ferns early in the contest before Australia equalised through Emma Tonegato on her second attempt on the wing.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 08: Team Australia celebrates winning the Gold medal while team New Zealand look dejected after the Women's Gold Medal Rugby Sevens match between Australia and New Zealand on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Deod

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Portia Woodman was sin-binned before the break for holding up play as Australia took the lead for the first time in the match through Evania Pelite down the right flank.

From there, Australia never looked as though they'd lose their grip on the tie as Ellia Green and the ever-impressive Charlie Caslick clicked into gear to add their names to the list of try-scorers.

McAlister added a consolation try late in the game before a teary-eyed Woodman returned to take the game to 24-17. But it wouldn't be enough to catch the rampant Aussies, with the contrast of emotions evident on the faces on both sets of players.

Australia comfortably saw out the final moments of the game to claim the gold medal in the maiden women's rugby sevens event at the Olympic Games.

Australia's Ellia Green scores a try in the womens rugby sevens gold medal match between New Zealand and Australia during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016. / AFP / PHILIPPE LOPEZ (Photo credit should

PHILIPPE LOPEZ/Getty Images

Earlier, Canada were too strong for Team GB in their third-place clash, with the outcome of the match taking a pivotal twist as Great Britain again saw one of their players sin-binned in the opening half.

Despite taking an early lead through Danielle Waterman, the Brits were sloppy in possession and failed to make their time on the ball count, unlike their opponents. Canada were ruthless and moved into an emphatic 19-5 lead moments before the break via Bianca Farella.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 08: Team Canada celebrates their victory winning the Bronze medal after the Women's Bronze Medal Rugby Sevens match between Canada and Great Britain on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Deodoro Stadium on August 8

David Rogers/Getty Images

Canada's Kelly Russell added further pain with another try before the interval, leaving their six-woman opponents with a mountain to climb following the interval.

Britain returned with vigor in the next period by opening the scoring but ultimately sunk to a 33-10 defeat after Ghislaine Landry breezed between the posts.

In the first semi-final, Australia secured a 17-5 victory over Canada after bursting into life from the first whistle.

Two tries from Emilee Cherry set the tone of the final-four clash, with the 23-year-old crossing the line twice in the opening period.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 08: Charlotte Caslick of Australia passes the ball during the Women's Semi Final 1 Rugby Sevens match between Australia and Canada on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Deodoro Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de J

David Rogers/Getty Images

Kicker Chloe Dalton converted only one of her tries, but the Matildas' ruthlessness prevailed.

Dalton added her name to the try-scorers following the interval, and the Australians appeared to be set to return to the dressing room with a confidence-boosting shutout. However, Canada's Charity Williams tucked over the try line to provide crumbs of comfort for the North Americans.

In the second semi-final, New Zealand crushed Great Britain, 25-7, to seal their place in the tournament final. Woodman barrelled over for the first try of the match early before Britain immediately hit back through a converted Alice Richardson try.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 08: Emily Scarratt of Great Britain throws the ball during the Women's Semi Final 2 Rugby Sevens match between Great Britain and New Zealand on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Deodoro Stadium on August 8, 2016 i

David Rogers/Getty Images

However, their advantage would not last for long, as Ruby Tui soon restored the Kiwis' lead.

Team GB had only themselves to blame for what followed, as two of their players, Katy McLean and Amy Wilson Hardy, were sin-binned before their opponents added another try prior to the break.

With Britain reduced to five women, New Zealand looked comfortable throughout the second period and secured progression to the final by thrashing their rivals.

They eventually went on to lose to Australia but deserve to be proud of their efforts at this year's Rio Games.