Gisborne’s Teneti player of the women’s final at world sevens series

Kelsey Teneti about to score one of her two tries in New Zealand's 29-7 defeat of Australia in the women's final of the Perth Sevens. Teneti was named Player of the Final. Photo / Janelle St Pierre, Getty Images

Gisborne’s Kelsey Teneti capped another superb performance by New Zealand’s “Seven Sisters” with the ultimate individual honour in the Perth Sevens over the weekend.

The 22-year-old was named Player of the Final as New Zealand brushed aside arch-rivals Australia 29-7 – their third tournament title of the HSBC sevens series.

Teneti, daughter of Gisborne’s Kelvin and Louise Teneti, was instrumental in their victory charge at HBF Park.

She scored eight tries over the course of the tournament, including two in the final and three in New Zealand’s 36-5 defeat of Fiji in pool play.

Her double in the final was a mixture of power and speed, Teneti scoring in each half as she underlined her finishing ability.

An emotional Teneti was interviewed by former Wallabies international Morgan Turinui after receiving the Player of the Final trophy.

“I’ve never received something like this before,” she said, wiping tears from her face.

“This game, it’s more than just a game for our whānau back home. We carry our whānau and our country on our shoulders, so to do it back to back means a lot.

Asked what was crucial to their success, Teneti said “the basics”.

“We know Aussie are an amazing team and it can go either way. We just have to do the basics right.

“We have an amazing leadership that a lot of us young girls get to follow,” she added. “What sets us apart is we are literally sisters.”

Teneti was then swamped by her teammates, but had a short message for home ... “I love you oma [Dutch for grandma].”

New Zealand’s win followed titles in Singapore the previous weekend and Dubai in November.

They top the points standings on 78, four ahead of Australia.

The next tournament in the series is in Vancouver next month.