Rugby: Black Ferns Sevens dominant in opening matches in Sydney

Portia Woodman breaks away from the Japan defence. Photo / Getty

Portia Woodman has extended her try-scoring blitz at the women's world series sevens tournament in Sydney, adding three more to make it 10 in a day as the Black Ferns Sevens downed the United States 31-0 in their third and final pool match.

The comprehensive five-try win went some way towards atoning for their fifth placing at the opening leg in Dubai in December, when the Kiwis were knocked out by the US in the quarter-finals.

Woodman's first-half brace gave New Zealand a 12-0 half-time lead on Friday, Michaela Blyde and Gayle Broughton also crossing in the second spell either side of Woodman's third.

Earlier, the Black Ferns Sevens had run in five tries to England's two in recording a 33-10 win in their second pool match.

First half tries to Blyde and Woodman gave the Black Ferns Sevens a comfortable 14-0 half-time lead.

Deborah Fleming finished off a Heather Fisher break two minutes after the restart to narrow the lead, but the Kiwis hit back almost immediately with Blyde and Woodman crossing in quick time.

Last year's world women's player of the year, Woodman's third try extended the New Zealand lead to 33-5, with England gaining some respectability through Jess Breach's game-closing effort.

Earlier, Woodman had snared four tries in New Zealand's opening 48-7 win over Japan. The Black Ferns Sevens ran in eight tries against their outmatched opponents and led 22-7 at half-time.

Woodman used her electric pace to cross twice in each half, handed ample space against a Japanese side which struggled for possession.

Blyde bagged a double while New Zealand's other tries went to Ruby Tui and Stacey Waaka.

They won five of six tournaments last season and were runners-up in Sydney.

They will next play Ireland in the quarter-finals, tomorrow.