The Kiwi women’s sevens team have been awarded the silver medal today after a hard-fought battle against the Australian team in Rio.
The New Zealand team placed second after the Aussies won 24-17, with Portia Woodman scoring a thrilling last minute try at fulltime. Kayla McAlister also scored two tries during the game.
With the crowds showing the Kiwis plenty of support after the thrilling final, the girls pulled it together to perform an emotional haka.
The team performed an emotional haka to their supporters after the heartbreaking defeat. Photo: Getty
The girls join hands on the podium as they are awarded their silver medals. Photo: Getty
While the team were obviously disappointed at getting beaten to the gold medal, they can at least count on one celebrity fan’s support!
Hollywood A-lister Matthew McConaughey was at the final to watch the two teams duke it out, and the dashing actor even posed for a cosy snap with team captain Sarah Goss.
When we spoke to Sarah earlier this year, the 23-year-old was optimistic about fulfilling a long-cherished dream of hers at Rio.
“When you’re a rugby player in New Zealand, you’re expected to do well every time you pull on that black jersey, so there’s that added pressure going into Rio 2016!” she told us. “But I’m really excited to go and be part of the NZ Olympic team, it’s so prestigious around the world.”
“Now I’m about to fulfil a dream of mine and will hopefully come back with a medal.
“My motto is ‘do it now’ and I’m just trying to live by that.”
Congratulations to the women’s sevens team on their amazing work at Rio!
