Olympics: New Zealand beat Kenya in women’s rugby sevens

Kenya Lionesses fall to New Zealand in Tokyo [photo courtesy]

Kenya began their Pool A campaign at the Tokyo Olympics with a 29-7 loss to New Zealand in the women’s rugby sevens competition in Tokyo on Thursday morning.

Starting off with what appeared to be a full-strength line-up, New Zealand shot out to a 17-0 lead, thanks to tries from Stacey Fluhler, Michaela Blyde and Portia Woodman.

Kenya only managed to sneak into New Zealand’s half for the final 20 seconds of the opening half.

Lindo's score was the last play of the half, leaving the Black Ferns Sevens with a 17-7 lead at the break.

New Zealand added two second half tries through Gayle Broughton and Stacey Fluher with Nathan-Wong adding conversion moments later to push the lead out to 29-7.

The score-line remained that way for the final four minutes.

Kenya will be back in action against the Russian Olympic Committee at 1.00pm today (Kenyan Time).

Results

New Zealand 29, Kenya 7

New Zealand 29 (Michaela Blyde, Gayle Broughton, Stacey Fluhler, Portia Woodman tries; Tyla Nathan-Wong conversion), Kenya 7 (Christabel Lindo try; Grace Okulu conversion) HT: 17-7