Australia capped a year to remember by being crowned the first ever Olympic sevens champions after an enthralling 24-17 defeat of New Zealand in the gold medal match at the Deodoro Stadium on Monday.

The HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series champions, having won three of the five rounds in 2015-16, lived up to their billing as favourites with tries from Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Ellia Green and Charlotte Caslick securing the historic gold medal for Australia.

Australia and New Zealand were joined on the podium by Canada, who avenged their loss to Great Britain in the Pool C decider on Sunday with a performance full of intensity and determination to triumph 33-10 and claim the bronze medal.