New Zealand's Rugby Sevens Champs See Bright Future for China's Team After Olympic Gold Win
New Zealand's women's rugby sevens team has done it again! 🥇 They clinched the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, defeating Canada 19-12 in a thrilling final on Tuesday. This marks their back-to-back Olympic gold, following their victory at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
After the big win, team stars Risi Pouri-Lane and Michaela Blyde sat down with CGTN Sports Scene's Greg Laffradi to share their excitement about the triumph, the challenges they overcame, and their thoughts on the Chinese team they faced in the quarterfinals.
Stepping into Big Shoes 👟
Pouri-Lane co-captained the New Zealand team alongside Sarah Hirini, a role she embraced after Hirini suffered a tough ACL injury last December.
\"Risi has stepped into some very big shoes,\" Blyde said. \"With Sarah tearing her ACL, we all rallied behind Risi. It's a huge role at a young age, especially leading up to the Olympic Games. But Risi just nails those one-percenters!\"
Rugby's Rough and Tough 💪
Rugby isn't for the faint-hearted. It's a sport where bruises and scars are badges of honor. Both Pouri-Lane and Blyde know this all too well.
\"That's the nature of the game,\" Blyde said with a grin. \"You get bruises, cuts, scars—you name it! But on the field, it's all about who can be mentally and physically the toughest.\"
China's Team on the Rise 🌄
New Zealand faced China in the quarterfinals, winning 55-5. Despite the scoreline, both players believe that the Chinese team has immense potential.
\"The score definitely doesn't reflect the talent in the Chinese team,\" Pouri-Lane noted. \"They made us work for it—it wasn't an easy win, no matter what the score says. Give them a few years on the World Series, and they'll be a very competitive team. They've already caused a few upsets this Olympic campaign!\"
China finished sixth in the women's rugby sevens event in Paris, marking their best-ever performance at the Olympics. With talent and determination, they're a team to watch out for in the future! 🚀
Reference(s):
Olympic women's rugby sevens champs New Zealand see potential in China
cgtn.com
