SAINT-DENIS, France — For the plucky, talented, unexpected force that is the U.S. women’s rugby sevens side, history at these Olympics would not be made until the final seconds of the bronze medal match on Tuesday.
In the semifinals, the U.S. met New Zealand, a dominant rugby dynasty—the Black Ferns Sevens have two World Cup titles, seven Women’s Rugby Seven Series championships, four Oceania Women’s Seven Series titles and two Olympic gold medals. The U.S. was defeated 24–12, but this set up a bronze medal match with Australia, the world’s other perpetually dominant side who won the sport’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in their sport eight years ago in Rio. The U.S. would either go home with a medal, or with nothing.
