The Black Ferns Sevens have powered into the women's rugby sevens semifinals at the Paris Olympics.
For the third straight Olympic Games, New Zealand will play for a medal after defeating China 55-5 in the quarterfinals on Monday (Tuesday NZ Time), hours after completing pool play unbeaten with a 38-7 win over Fiji.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The gold medallists from Tokyo and silver medallists from Rio will now face the United States in the semifinals on Tuesday (1.30am Wednesday NZT), with medal matches at 5am and 5.45am Wednesday NZT.
The BFs Sevens ran in nine tries to one against fellow Pool A team China, who they defeated 43-5 on Sunday, but there were some nervous moments in the first half.
After Sarah Hirini opened the scoring after just 19 seconds, the captain was yellow-carded for head contact two minutes later, putting New Zealand a player down. China quickly capitalised with a try to close within two.
From the kick-off, Jorja Miller set up Jazmin Felix-Hotham for her first while still a player down, then with Hirini back on the park, Michaela Blyde and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored to give New Zealand a 24-5 lead at halftime.
The second half started much the same as the first, with Blyde scoring her second of the match, third of the day and seventh of the tournament after 42 seconds.
Felix-Hotham darted away for her second, followed by substitute Mahina Paul scoring. Hirini took the scored to a half-century with her second, before Paul also completed her double in added-time.
Earlier, Stacey Waaka scored two tries, while Miller, Felix-Hotham, Blyde and Manaia Nuku also scored as New Zealand completed Pool A play unbeaten against Fiji.
The BFs Sevens scored after just 29 seconds through Miller, with Felix-Hotham and Waaka added tries for a 21-0 halftime lead.
BLACK FERNS SEVENS RESULTS
POOL A
Black Ferns Sevens 38 (Jorja Miller, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Stacey Waaka 2, Michaela Blyde, Manaia Nuku tries; Risi Pouri-Lane 4 con) Fiji 7 (Adi Vani Buleki try; Reapi Ulunisau con). HT: 21-0
QUARTERFINAL
Black Ferns Sevens 55 (Sarah Hirini 2, Jazmin Felix-Hotham 2, Michaela Blyde 2, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Mahina Paul 2 tries; Risi Pouri-Lane 2 con Tyla King 3 con) China 5 (Xinrong Dou try). HT: 24-5