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SCMP Reporter

Australian captain Bronnie Mackintosh made the case for women to be included in the IRB Sevens Series after losing a pulsating women's final to arch-rivals New Zealand yesterday.

'I think the world sevens stage is ready for women to be included in the IRB Sevens Series, the Commonwealth Games and maybe even the Olympics,' said Mackintosh, after the battle of the southern hemisphere neighbours saw New Zealand run out 19-12 winners.

'The girls have shown a great level of skill and speed throughout the tournament and I think we are ready to step up to the next level of the game.'

New Zealand, represented by the Aotearoa Maori team, outscored the Aussie Rats by three tries to two in a hotly contested  final.

Australia drew first blood after Jamie Blazesenski scuttled past the Kiwi defence and palmed the ball to  Mackintosh, who scored under the posts to the delight of their fans.

Lavinia Gould nearly replied through her soccer skills by dribbling a loose ball into space, but she was tripped up five metres short of the tryline. However, the Kiwis gave as good as they got when Gould kicked across the field and an Australian defender was 'accidentally' tripped, allowing New Zealand to even up the scores.

The Kiwis took the lead after the break through winger Victoria Blackledge, who ran in a spectacular try from her own 22.

The Rats nibbled away at the New Zealanders' lead with Alex Hargreaves touching down in the corner but the Maori put the result beyond doubt with a try by substitute Shaari Waru.

Blackledge thought pace was the major factor separating the two sides.

'The Australians are a lot bigger while we're smaller with more speed,' Blackledge said.

'I think that gave us a little advantage, which was so important,' she added.



'We deserve to reach the next level'