Girl power praise for Aussie rugby champs

There's nothing quite like beating the Kiwis at rugby - but when it also comes with a historic first-ever Olympic gold, victory has never been sweeter.

The Australian women's rugby sevens team has won praise from the prime minister and opposition leader - and women MPs cheering girl power after beating New Zealand 24-17 in Rio.

Malcolm Turnbull seemingly played up on the trans-Tasman rivalry in a tweet commending the Aussies.

"Congrats to our Women's Rugby 7s, making history & beating NZ to secure the first Rugby 7s #Gold at an #Olympics."

Labor leader Bill Shorten was faster off the bat, heaping praise almost half an hour before the prime minister.

"A magnificent performance by the @Aussie7s women #Rio2016 #Rugby7s #OneTeam," he tweeted.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key tweeted his contentment with the second spot.

"Congratulations to our women's @nz7s team for winning our second silver medal of the Rio #Olympics," he said.

There was also lots of acclaim from female politicians from both sides.

"Girl power scoring gold for the Pearls and Australia," Liberal Ann Sudmalis said.

"These women are tough as nails," Labor frontbencher Clare O'Neil wrote on Facebook.