Rugby: Sisters win the race to Rio

The team beat Brazil 34-0 on day one.

National women’s sevens team becomes the first side outside hosts Brazil to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

The New Zealand women's sevens side took a crucial step in pursuit of Olympic glory by becoming the first team, outside automatic host qualifiers Brazil, to register a spot at next year's Games.

The top four teams in the world series, which finishes in Amsterdam next weekend, are guaranteed spots at Rio. By making the London quarter-finals with a 24-0 win over France, New Zealand secured enough points. They completed the tournament overnight (NZT).

Honey Hireme, a regular on the sevens circuit, put the achievement into perspective.

"We are trying to stay a step ahead by setting a high level of professionalism," the 34-year-old said.

"We had to learn it from scratch as New Zealand's first professional women's rugby players, but this young team's ability to learn and grow has been awesome.

"Women athletes can tend to be underestimated but, when people come out and watch, they're amazed by the skill, as well as our tactical plans."

Coach Sean Horan was satisfied, despite a 19-15 loss to Spain which ended a 37-match winning streak extending back to defeat by Australia in the final of the Sao Paulo tournament 15 months ago.

"Our first objective was to qualify for Rio," he said. "The next one is to go well in Rio.

"It's pretty cool when you can say we are pioneers of the New Zealand women's game. Like it or not, rugby's a religion in New Zealand. Our vision is to inspire young girls to live and love this game.

"A loss can sometimes be good because otherwise you worry about your outcome all the time. Even though you don't focus on a streak, everybody talks about it.

"We've got some girls who will be hurting, but it's about how they bounce back. The All Blacks and All Blacks sevens sides live with that expectation every day. Everybody brings their A game against you."

There was further disappointment when playmaker Tyla Nathan-Wong suffered an ankle sprain. She's expected to miss the rest of this sevens season.

Nathan-Wong's fledgling talent is core to why the team, known colloquially as the Sevens Sisters, are so successful. The 20-year-old's fitness and finesse deliver moments of genius under pressure.

Take the loss to Spain. Down 14-10, Nathan-Wong gathered the ball on the left flank at the Spanish 30m mark, assessed limited options and kicked for the right touch. A flurry of hands saw Katarina Whata-Simpkins score.

That appeared to seal the match at 15-14 until Spain's tenacity prevailed in the final moments.

Whata-Simpkins can also deliver the sublime, Kelly Brazier always has time under pressure, captain Sarah Goss engaged in her share of graft and Portia Woodman remains one of the game's best finishers.

Woodman, who starred at the 2013 World Cup in Moscow with her pace and sidestep, was euphoric post-qualification.

"Our main goal is to inspire young girls and leave a legacy that makes it worth coming into the programme. Hopefully today added a bit to that."

Horan says coaching the women's side in the Olympic campaign has brought a change in his philosophy.

"It has made me a better coach. When you coach men, you get stuck in a male, warrior-type, attacking, physical state. This role has taught me to tap into the female psyche more. It makes you a better people-manager. I've learned to be more tolerant and they want to know 'why' more. I'm proud of our programme. Hopefully we're laying the foundations for a legacy."

• Andrew Alderson is at the London Sevens with assistance from New Zealand Rugby.