The New Zealanders celebrate in Clermont-Ferrand after reclaiming the World Series title from Australia, whom they headed by 16 points. Photo / Michael Lee photosport
Last August the Black Ferns sevens wondered how they would bridge the gap with Australia, who had cleaned up the World Series and the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
The squad and coach Allan Bunting found the right recipe in 2016-17. New Zealand have returned to the top in
fine style, their Cup final victory in Clermont at the weekend their fifth in six tournaments, giving them a fourth World Series title after three from 2012-15. Moreover, they did it dropping only one game all season, to USA in February's Sydney Sevens, where they were third. Except for that aberration, they have shown their class and, in the last two tournaments, minus three of their stars, have shown an ability to up their game under pressure.
To the fore have come Ruby Tui, who cracked the season dream team; captain in the last two events Tyla Nathan-Wong, now a seasoned and consistent performer; and teenager Alena Saili, who has talent to burn. The likes of Niall Williams and Shakira Baker are central figures.
But the breakout came from Taranaki pocket rocket Michaela Blyde, who notched 40 tries in the season to be the clear leading tryscorer. She was also judged the series' impact player and was a clear choice in the official season dream team.
Portia Woodman, one of three Black Ferns 15s stars who was unavailable for the last two events through World Cup preparations, was also in that team. She scored 52 tries in the 2014-15 season when she was in imperious form, but Blyde came close to that amazing output.
