RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Olympic Games has a reputation for producing the unpredictable but the women's sevens went to form. Australia were the best side over the three days and deserved winners of sevens' first ever gold at the Olympics but they were pushed hard by the Portia Woodman-inspired New Zealand.
At Australia's forefront was Charlotte Caslick, who ended up with seven tries. She was completely brilliant in orchestrating play and then showing a great ability to finish running up an impressive try tally. Emilee Cherry was also in sensational form but this was no group of individuals. Across the 12 sides we've seen over the last three days, Australia's work with the ball was on a superior level and their ability to shift the point of attack was quicker and much more ruthless than their competitors.
Only New Zealand came close in this aspect of the game but Australia, who won this season's World Rugby Sevens Series, had the wonderful ability to turn possession and territory into points at key times.
Australia had plenty of stars making up their gold medal-winning elect, but New Zealand's Woodman, the current World Rugby player of the year, was a sensation at the Deodoro Stadium as she ran in 10 tries over the three days. She plays like Bryan Habana in his pomp: the odd outside gap is exploited and then ruthlessly capitalised on as the opposition are left grasping at the smallest thread of her kit or at useless thin air. There were other standout players in the Kiwi team like Kayla McAlister but Australia's all court style of the proved too much in the final.
The Black Ferns would've fancied their chances for gold. They eased through the pool stages and then survived a scare to beat the U.S. in the quarterfinals. Come the semifinals they exposed Great Britain's ill-discipline to win 25-7 but couldn't get across the line in the final.
For Australia, they always seemed in control. They breezed through their opening matches -- beating Colombia and Fiji -- and then had the scare against the U.S. where they drew 12 apiece. It was the wake-up call they needed and they eased through the quarterfinal against Spain and then dispatched eventual bronze medal winners Canada 17-5 with confidence in the semifinal.
And then they pushed on in the final with the brilliant Caslick orchestrating play as they won 24-17 to cue scenes of delirium.
They were worthy winners but the last three days will have widespread ramifications for the rest of the women's game. It was a wonderful tournament, packed with skills and thrilling rugby; anyone who saw it could not have helped but get caught up in the whole occasion. The hope is this will be the catalyst for the sport to head to new markets and inspire new players.
Here in Rio, the Brazilian crowd embraced the play but one huge error of misjudgement from the organisers was to sell separate tickets for morning and then afternoon sessions rather than one for a whole day of festivities. It gave the tournament little chance to play in front of a capacity crowd and when you take into account the transport issues in Rio de Janeiro, let alone the huge recession this country is going through, then the half-full ground was to be expected.
It was a shame but this tournament will leave a lasting legacy here. World Rugby have put into place the building blocks to leave a sustainable plan to grow playing numbers here while the brilliant Argentinean Agustin Pichot, the current vice-chairman of World Rugby, will ensure there is no tail off in interest.
For the victors, they will go down in the annals as the fourth gold medal-winners for Australia at the 2016 Games. They are deserved champions, played brilliantly throughout and will hope to inspire a new generation back home.