Defending champions New Zealand held off a spirited Canada to win Olympic women's Rugby Sevens gold on Tuesday, coming from behind to triumph 19-12 in a tense final at the Stade de France.

It's the country's first medal of any colour at the Paris Games.

In the bronze-medal match, Alex Sedrick ran the length of the pitch in the final play, then converted her own try, to give the United States a shock 14-12 victory over Australia and claim the country's first-ever medal in Olympic Rugby Sevens. (Reuters)