NZ sevens side in Olympic semi-final

New Zealand brushed past China with a record 55-5 victory to set up an Olympic women's rugby sevens semi-final with the United States after they fought back to beat Britain 17-7 in the second quarter-final. 

Defending champions New Zealand have barely needed to get out of second gear to reach the semi-finals, with three hefty pool wins earning them a last eight clash with outsiders China – who they battered 43-5 on Sunday (local time).

The Kiwis were on the board after 19 seconds on Monday when Sarah Hirini ran back the kick-off but the captain was then yellow-carded for a head-on-head tackle and China took advantage with a try by Dou Xinrong – much to the delight of the "neutrals" in the 66,000 crowd.

Any hopes of seeing what would have been the biggest upset in Olympic sevens history soon disappeared though as quickfire tries by Jasmine Felix-Hotham, Michaela Blyde and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe had the favourites 24-5 ahead at the break.

Blyde added her second – taking her tournament tally to seven – and further scores for Felix-Hotham, Mahina Paul (two) and Hirini completed by far the biggest knockout stage victory in the short history of Olympic sevens.

Hirini said she was proud of how New Zealand had played and that they had made the semi-finals. “It will be tough tomorrow. They’re all very good teams," the Team NZ website reported. 

She said the atmosphere had been amazing. “A packed stadium for women’s sport. The French really know how to enjoy themselves on a big occasion.”

The second quarter-final was a much tighter affair as Britain roared out of the blocks to send Ellie Boatman over.

The US hit back when Ilona Maher dragged in two defenders to allow Naya Tapper to reduce the deficit to 7-5.

Only a fantastic tackle by Jasmine Joyce on a marauding Maher prevented a second US try and preserved Britain’s 7-5 lead at the break.

That lasted all of 10 seconds of the second half as Britain messed up the restart and Kristi Kirshe gobbled up the loose ball to score.

Britain’s tackling then started to slip and Sammy Sullivan forced herself through to make it 17-7 and they then defended securely to claim a place in the semi-finals for the first time.

In the remaining quarter-finals, Tokyo silver medallists France, seeking to emulate their men by going one better on home soil, take on Canada, with Australia and Ireland meeting in a repeat of their pool match earlier on Monday that Australia edged 19-14.

The semi-finals and medal matches take place on Tuesday (local time).