The NZ women's sevens team celebrate gold. Photo / Greg Bowker
The NZ women's sevens team celebrate gold. Photo / Greg Bowker
Haka, song and double delight for the New Zealand sevens teams. What a way to finish the Commonwealth Games.
Two golds bookending New Zealand's third-best Games maul haul sure was something. The manner in which the sevens sides avenged heartbreak and frustration from the Rio Olympics, New Zealand could nothave asked for a better conclusion.
As the men and women each performed haka – the men also belting out a passionate rendition of E Nga Iwi in a huddle not long after the final whistle – and then gathered together for photos, the tight-knit bond they share was evident for all.
"It's massive for New Zealand and us as a family," NZ men's coach Clark Laidlaw, the fiery Scotsman who has only been in charge of this team since late last year, said. "Both teams we talked before we left about what it was going to take for us both to win gold. We're probably as proud of them as we are of each other. They've done an amazing job. Some of the adversity they've been through over the last two weeks has been unbelievable so we'll celebrate with them.
"It was never going to be easy. Playing Fiji in a Commonwealth Games final is the way it should be. New Zealanders grow up wanting to play against Fiji we know they're the best team. That just makes it even sweeter."
The men have a rich history in this arena; this their fifth gold medal. Silver medallists four years ago in Glasgow, pre-tournament there were doubts about this side even making the final.
New Zealand celebrate winning the Men's Gold Medal Rugby Sevens Match. Photo / Getty
Laidlaw's men, superbly led by Scott Curry, defied such predictions to be the form team over their two days; the 14-0 triumph over the ill-disciplined Fijians in the final capping a memorable rebuild after failing to medal in Rio.
And, yet, it was the women who stole the show with one of the best finales you could hope to witness.
Two years ago Australia's women left New Zealand broken in the Rio final.
Here New Zealand gained sweet revenge thanks to a stunning match-winning try from Kelly Brazier after the hooter in extra time.
Kelly Brazier scores the winning try in the Women's Gold Medal Rugby Sevens Match. Photo / Getty
The 27,000-strong crowd traded chants of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" and "Kiwis, Kiwis" to form an amazing atmosphere at Robina Stadium.
Locked 12-12 at full-time – Australia's Cassie Staples inexplicably kicked the ball out thinking her side had nailed their final conversion to win it.
In extra time, Niall Williams pulled off a match-saving tackle at the death, just before Brazier broke away.
In punishing 31 degree heat, both teams were out on their feet. Brazier looked around for support before realising she had to do it herself. That she did, with a piece of superb individual brilliance.
What an epic match this was, New Zealand claiming the first women's Commonwealth Games sevens gold in the most dramatic fashion.
"The tank was pretty empty but I looked at the skip and she gave me the heads up to go," Brazier said. "When the gap opened I pinned my ears back and away I went. To do something like that at a crucial moment is pretty special. It's always special to beat Aussie on home turf at a Comm Games after the heartbreak in Rio. It's one I won't forget easily."
Before a ball was kicked the Black Ferns lost the popular Ruby Tui to the mumps, and Tyla Nathan-Wong went down in the warm-up just prior to the final. In those circumstances, they epitomised character.
"It means so much there's so many Aussie supporters but we've got that select few who have been yelling and screaming the past three days," emotional Black Ferns sevens captain Sarah Goss said. "To bring home a medal for them is pretty incredible. Everything was for the family up there.
"I know Ruby would have wanted to be here with us but she would've been in front of the TV screaming. I'm happy for the girls and stoked for Kelly to score our winner as well.
"I was standing there edging her on like a race horse. She's an amazing player but she doesn't normally score long-range tries. She did it for us today."
