Unstoppable Ferns go four from four

22ndFebruary 2014. That was the date when New Zealand’s women’s team last lost a game in the World Series. Since then they have now won six tournaments and 36 straight games, and show no signs of stopping.

In fact only once have New Zealand failed to reach a final – right back in February 2013 – which means their qualification for the Rio Olympics is a gold-plated certainty as they now need only reach the semi-final (or even just the plate final) in London next month to wrap it up.

Which is not to say that Day Two of the Canadian 7s in Langford was merely a coronation – there was a lot else to remember as well.

It may be a totally co-incidence that the first WSWS tournament since the Six Nations finished was also the first where Europe started to fight back. Three of the four semi-final places went to European teams, added to which Spain lifted the Bowl.

The day began with a surprise Russian win over Australia - but it was a well-deserved one as Russia dominated the game with tries from Bogacheva, Kudinova and Titova, though Australia fought back at the end and nearly snatched it. France followed this up by sweeping past the United States with Horta, Christelle Le Duff and Troncy all touching down after which England broke the hearts of the crowd by seeing off a noticeably nervous under-par Canada who were a shadow the local heroes of Day One, tries from Amy Wilson-Hardy – who had a terrific two days – and Emily Scarratt winning the game. “We stuck to the game plan, we worked hard on the game plan. We’ve got some good individuals but to be a good team you’ve got to be disciplined,” said Middleton.

New Zealand joined them, beating the spirited Fijians.

Australia went on to lose their plate semi-final as well, to finish seventh overall and slip to third in the series rankings while Canada now go second despite losing an exciting plate final to the United States.

Australian captain Sharni Williams said afterwards: “We’re so disappointed, we tried to hit back from the disappointment of Atlanta but we’re back where we were. It’s pretty tough, but we gotta get back and recover and bounce back like us Aussies do.

“We missed a few tackles and around the ruck area we were bumped off the ball. Our ball security and sealer weren’t physical enough and they took advantage."

The cup semi-finals began with an all-European battle between France and Russia, in which France initially looked the favourites, taking an early lead. However Russia fought back and in the final quarter of the game some wonderful ball retention finally broke through the French defence with the crucial conversion of their second try gave them a 14-12 lead into the final play. France seemed to have this under control and looked like the might steal the game, before captain Fanny Horta went for a high-risk kick-and-chase that failed to come off – to the delight of Russia who reached their first final.

England now took on the Ferns and, as they had the previous day in the pool, rose to the occasion and even lead for a while –but there is always reserves in the New Zealand tank and so it proved to be again as they ran out 24-14 winners.

England and France have been training partners in recent weeks, but it is perhaps England who have learnt the most as they beat a tired-looking France 19-7 to take third, after which New Zealand were too strong and experienced to be troubled by Russia in the final – though the Russian put in a creditable performance to only lose by 29-10.

Speaking after the final whistle, winning New Zealand coach Sean Horan said: “It was a tough week for our girls as we lost one early to injury, but I'm really proud of them as always.

"I wasn't surprised to see Russia in the final, we faced them a few times in Dubai and they are amazing players, really fit, fast and physical. Pavel (Russia coach) is doing a great job and it doesn't surprise me to see them in the final. It also wouldn't surprise me to see any one of six teams make the final.

"The tournament this weekend was simply outstanding. If you could get all tournaments to be of this quality and calibre, with the support, the togetherness, the focus on players and management, the facilities and the passion.... it was just outstanding," said Horan.

Despite the results for the home side not going to plan, Canadian captain Ashley Steacy spoke of her appreciation of the large crowds: "We're really gutted. We left a few tries out there. We wanted to win the final game for our fans so it's disappointing. The crowds have been awesome and we are thankful they all came out to watch. We'll now go back to the drawing board and get ready for London and Amsterdam."

Plate Semi Finals (5th-8th)Australia 10 - 29 USACanada 45 - 0 Fiji

7th/8th MatchAustralia 22-0 Fiji

Plate finalUSA 19-12 Canada

Bowl Semi Finals (9th-12th)Brazil 17-5 South AfricaSpain 33-5 China

11th/12th MatchSouth Africa 21 - 31 China

Bowl finalSpain 14-12 Brazil

Quarter-finals (1st-8th)Australia 12 - 17 RussiaUSA 0 - 17 FranceCanada 5 - 12 EnglandNew Zealand 26 - 5 Fiji

Cup Semi Finals (1st-4th)Russia 14 - 12 FranceEngland 14 - 24 New Zealand

3rd/4th placeFrance 7-19 England

Cup FinalNew Zealand 29-10 Russia

Current Series Standings1. New Zealand (80)2. Canada (58)3. Australia (56)4. France (52)5=. England (48)5=. United States (48)7. Russia (46)8. Fiji (24)9. Brazil (19)10. Spain (12)11. China (7)12. South Africa (6)