The New Zealand women's rugby sevens team has won the gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
Gold Medal winning team of New Zealand on the podium after the Rugby Sevens Womens Tournament at the 2018 Youth Olympics. Photo: OIS
The New Zealanders beat France 15-12 in the final after leading 10-7 at half time.
The team went through pool play undefeated with wins against Tunisia, Colombia, France, Canada and Kazakhstan to qualify in top spot for the gold medal match against France.
The gold medal Final was a tense encounter with Montessa Tairakena and Iritana Hohaia giving the New Zealand team a 10-0 lead before France scored on the stroke of halftime for a 10-7 scoreline at the break.
The French took the lead in the second spell 12-10, setting up a grandstand finish, with Mahina Paul scoring for New Zealand to seal the 15-12 victory.
New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew congratulated the team on their result.
"This is the first time we have had a sevens team at the Youth Olympic Games and for them to claim the gold medal is an outstanding result.
"The team only spent a week together before taking the field so winning gold is testament to the hard work the players and team management has put in.
"It shows the future of women's sevens is in good hands."
Mahina Paul celebrates with her teammates after scoring the winning try in the Rugby Sevens Women's Gold Medal Match against France at 2018 Youth Olympics. Photo: OIS
Argentina beat France in the men's final.
It is New Zealand's third gold medal of the games after Dylan McCullough's triathlon win and Connor Bell's win in the discus.
Finn Anderson won silver in the C1 Canoe Sports event.
The Black Ferns Sevens watched the final while in Denver preparing for the start of their world series.
The New Zealand Under 18s have won GOLD at the @youtholympics, defeating France 15 - 12 as the #BlackFerns7s watch on from Denver
— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) October 15, 2018
: @Sgoss10 #BuenosAires2018 pic.twitter.com/jWqdmzS5JI
