Amid wild celebrations from the Australians on full-time following their 24-17 victory of the Kiwis, the inspiration for their win emerged.

After New Zealand's semi-final win over Great Britain, Horan told New Zealand TV: "The Australians don't like pressure, they don't like the physical side."

It angered the Australians no end - and they were determined to make their arch rivals pay.

Fairfax Media was told Australian coach Tim Walsh jumped all over the jibe, and quickly scrawled it on the team whiteboard before the final to serve as motivation for his side.

New Zealand had not beaten Australia since February 2015.

Playing two 10-minute halves for the final instead of the customary seven, the Kiwis took a 5-0 lead midway through the first stanza through a try to Kayla McAlister.

Australia responded minutes later when Emma Tonegato scored in the corner, although replays suggested she had lost control of the ball as it hit the tryline.

Soon after, Australia were in again.

New Zealand's best player, Portia Woodman, received a yellow card and two minutes on the sidelines for a deliberate knock down and with the one-player overlap Australia scored after the halftime siren through Evania Pelite, giving them a 10-5 lead.

After the break, they again used the extra player to efficiency with Ellia Green scoring with six minutes left to play. Chloe Dalton's conversion took them out to a 17-5 lead.

When Charlotte Caslick scored from a quick tap soon after, the final was over and the gold medal was Australia's.