Black Ferns Sevens have defended their world series crown with a 31-21 victory over Australia in the Singapore tournament final.
Michaela Blyde scored a hattrick of tries, as she purses teammate Portia Woodman-Wickliffe for the all-time series record, while Jorja Miller proved a matchwinner in general play, as the NZ women overcame a halftime deficit to run away in the second half.
The rival teams entered the event tied atop the world series table and both progressed unbeaten through poolplay and knockout rounds at Singapore, setting up a fitting finale for the season title.
Blyde opened the scoring, when she was put into space on her own 22 and outpaced rival Teagan Levi in a straight footrace to the tryline.
Maddison Levi quickly responded to level the contest and a series of penalties allowed Australia to take the lead through Isabella Nasser.
Woodman-Wickliffe could not take the kickoff cleanly, but the Aussies immediately turned it over and from the scrum, fast hands beat the advancing defence for Blyde to grab a second. The missed conversion gave Australia a 14-12 halftime advantage.
From the restart, Miller forced a mistake from Nasser and carried downfield for Blyde to secure her hattrick, as Aussie captain Madison Ashby left the field injured.
Miller created another try, when she offloaded to Woodman-Wickliffe, who was caught metres out, but released and regathered to score. Miller then stole the ball at a ruck and Stacey Waaka scored the try that made the contest - and dual titles - safe.
Maddison Levi's try in the dying seconds did little to dent the celebrations.
The result represents New Zealand's fourth straight tournament success, after wins at Los Angeles, Vancouver and Hong Kong. The top eight teams now move on to Madrid for the series grand final next month.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks Sevens have also defended their Singapore crown, defeating Ireland 17-14 in the final.
The NZ men had already beaten their rivals in poolplay and controlled possession from the opening kickoff to send Leroy Carter sprinting down the right sideline for the opening try.
Strong defence from Andrew Knewstubb deep in Irish territory provided the platform for the second try, with Fehi Fineangahofo tackled, releasing and regathering to score.
On halftime, Ireland found the scoreboard, when Gavin Mullin swooped on a stray pass for a try by the posts, and New Zealand led 12-7 at the break.
Two quick penalties gave the Kiwis early advantage in the second half and when Fineangahofo was brought down short, captain Dylan Collier dummied and scored himself to make it a two-score contest.
From the kickoff, the Irish kicked ahead and pounced on the loose ball for Harry McNulty to narrow the deficit. McNulty claimed the Ireland kickoff, as momentum swung their way, but when they kicked ahead, Terry Kennedy was penalised for a high tackle.
The All Blacks Sevens tried to break out of their own 22, but Cody Vai dropped a pass at the end of the backline, giving the Irish one last chance to snatch victory. Deep into extra time, Tone Ng Shiu won a ruck turnover to seal the win for New Zealand.
The result duplicated the NZ double success at Hong Kong last month, when both men and women won their finals. It also elevated the Kiwis to third on the series standings, with Argentina claiming the title from Ireland.
Black Ferns Sevens 31 (Blyde 3, Woodman-Wickliffe, Waaka tries; Pouri-Lane 3 conversions) Australia 21 (M.Levi 2, Nasser tries; Hinds 2 & du Toit conversions)
All Blacks Sevens 17 (Carter, Fineangahofo, Collier tries; Knewstubb conversion) Ireland 14 (Mullin, McNulty tries; Dardis & Roche conversions
