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Canada upset Australia to end Rio 2016 champions' gold medal hopes

By Martyn Thomas
PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 30: Charity Williams #6 of Team Canada runs with the ball during the Women's Rugby Sevens Semifinal match between Team Canada and Team Australia on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Canada are guaranteed at least a silver medal at Paris 2024 after they beat Australia 21-12 to set up a women’s gold medal match against defending champions New Zealand.

Having upset hosts France on Monday night, Canada recovered from going 12-0 down in their medal semi-final against the SVNS Grand Final winners.

Charity Williams started the comeback on the stroke of half-time before Asia Hogan-Rochester and Piper Logan crossed the whitewash to send Canada into the gold medal match.

Next up for Canada will be a rematch with New Zealand, who beat them 33-7 during the pool stage.

Canada squad members Olivia Apps and Fancy Bermudez have experience of beating New Zealand to a title this year, though, having been part of the 15s side that became World Rugby Pacific Four Series champions in May.

The Black Ferns Sevens secured their passage to the gold medal match with a 24-12 defeat of USA earlier on day three.

New Zealand fell behind to an early Alev Kelter try but a brace apiece for Stacey Waaka and Michaela Blyde put the result beyond doubt before Kristi Kirshe scored a late second for USA.

Blyde’s two tries took her overall Olympic tally to 16, just one behind team-mate and all-time Games top-scorer Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

The gold medal match is scheduled to take place at 19:45 local time (GMT+2) on Tuesday. Before that, Australia will take on USA for the bronze medal.